MOTION to defend GUCU members Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany

Proposer: Becky Gardiner

Seconder: Kirsten Campbell

This branch notes:

1.   The marking and assessment boycott in response to Tranche 1 of SMT’s Recovery Programme imposing redundancies across academic and professional staff.

2.   The impact of the boycott on student progression and graduation across the College, and particularly in MCCS.

3.   The leadership and professionalism shown by the Head and Deputy Head of Department, Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany respectively, throughout the pandemic, strikes and boycott, putting the welfare of staff and students first and communicating with them at all stages.

4.   The letter sent by the Head of School of Culture and Society, Adam Dinham, to MCCS staff and students claiming that the Heads of Department sent an email to students ‘without consultation with all relevant colleagues’ and alleging wrongdoing before any investigation has taken place.

5.   That the letter states that the Head of School ‘will be making arrangements for HoD duties to be covered’ in MCCS.

6.   The lack of timely and comprehensive communication from SMT to students regarding graduation that takes into consideration the consequences of the marking and assessment boycott.

This branch believes:

1.   Adam Dinham’s letter to staff and students, by suggesting wrongdoing and noting that HoD duties will be covered by colleagues, prejudices any investigation into misconduct on the part of Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany.

2.   This amounts to a de facto suspension of Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany for sending an email to students to clarify the impact of the boycott and provide support.

3.   That an email sent to MCCS staff and students before attempting to discuss and resolve the issues goes against the College’s own disciplinary policy.

4.   SMT have abjectly failed in their duty of care to students by not communicating with them about the impact of the boycott.

5.   Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany should be reinstated immediately.

This branch resolves:

1. To publicise our support for and defence of Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany, as important GUCU members and academic staff.

2. To support MCCS and other departments in defending Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany.

3. To support any application for legal and other assistance from the national union for this case.

4. To undertake industrial action, up to and including strike action if necessary, if Des Freedman and Gholam Khiabany are not reinstated following a speedy investigation.