Motions passed at General meetings 2025

Motions passed at Branch meetings in 2025 are added to this page as they are passed by members at our Branch meetings. For motions passed in previous years, see links in the right-hand side menu. 

Motions passed at Branch meeting on Tuesday 13th May 2025 

PROPOSED LATE MOTION TO UCU CONGRESS - LOCAL ELECTIONS AND INCREASED VOTE FOR REFORM

Congress notes with concern:

1. The increased vote for Reform UK in the local elections on 1st May,
2. Failure of traditional parties can lay the basis for a resurgence of the far right, and this may be starting to happen in the UK,
3. Keir Starmer’s response that Labour should go “further and faster” may be counterproductive. If the Labour government’s plan rests on anti-immigration policies it will lend credibility to the right, and cuts in welfare spending will alienate the grassroots of trade union members and Labour supporters.
4. Reductions in public spending do not create economic growth, and damage services, including education.

Congress asks the incoming NEC to:

1. Oppose anti-immigration policies,
2. Work with other trade unions to expose the anti-union and anti-workplace-rights content of Reform UK’s agenda,
3. Educate people about why immigration is not the cause of low pay or housing shortages,
4. Oppose welfare cuts,
5. Campaign for adequate and fully funded services, including education, health, and social care,
6. To campaign jointly with other trade unions, and other organisations where appropriate.
    

Motions passed at Branch meeting on Tuesday 29th April 2025 

MOTION 1 – SOLIDARITY AND DONATIONS FOR BRANCHES TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION 

This branch notes that many of our sibling branches are undertaking industrial action in defence of jobs, pay, and working conditions. Due to current conditions across the HE sector; it seems likely that more branches will need to take this action during 2025. 

We recognise the financial and personal challenges that members in these branches face and reaffirm our commitment to collective solidarity.

This branch resolves to:

• Send and publicise messages of support to branches engaged in industrial action.
• Authorise the Executive Committee to make donations of £250 to the hardship funds of each branch taking industrial action during 2025 (subject to our branch treasurer confirming these donations remain financially viable to the OU Branch of UCU).
• Make best efforts to identify and contribute to all affected branches taking industrial action.

MOTION 3 – ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR BRANCHES IN EXCEPTIONAL NEED 

This branch recognises that some branches engaged in industrial action may face exceptional financial hardship and require additional support from sibling branches. 

This branch resolves to:

• Authorise the Executive Committee to agree to make additional donations (of up to £1000) to a branch deemed in significant need subject to the branch treasurer confirming that the donation is financially viable to the OU Branch of UCU.
   

Motion passed at Branch meeting on Tuesday 25th March 2025 

MOTION 1 Adoption of the UCU LGBT+ Charter for Equality, Liberation, and Solidarity by the OU UCU Branch

Preamble:
The UK has made positive steps in improving LGBTQ+ rights, yet many challenges remain. At the Open University, a significant number of LGBTQ+ staff continue to express concerns about their ability to live openly and without fear of facing discrimination and exclusion within the workplace. While the Open University is actively pursuing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiatives, there is a perceived gap in addressing the specific concerns of LGBTQ+ staff. This highlights a wider issue within Higher Education, where the provision of intentionally inclusive environments are paramount. Institutions like the OU must ensure that, as with any minoritised group within society, LGBTQ+ staff and students feel safe, supported and included.

Objectives:

1. To show OU UCU Branch solidarity and allyship with its LGBTQ+ membership.
2. To increase and enhance inclusion amongst LGBTQ+ staff at the OU through the adoption of the UCU LGBT+ Charter and its suggested actions and commitments.
3. To leverage the OU UCU branch’s leadership and influence in seeking greater recognition and a clearly communicated commitment from the employer towards LGBTQ+ employees within institutional policy and strategy.

Action Points:

1. The OU UCU branch executive should sign up and adopt the principles of the UCU LGBT+ Charter for Equality, Liberation, and Solidarity.
2. The OU UCU branch should recognise UCU’s trans-inclusion statement.

Rationale:

By adopting the UCU LGBT+ Charter, the OU branch will have a clear framework of meaningful actions to improve the experience of LGBTQ+ members, and by extension, the broader LGBTQ+ community of employees.

Conclusion:

The principles of the UCU LGBT+ Charter provide a meaningful opportunity for the branch to demonstrate its commitment to LGBTQ+ allyship and solidarity. Formal adoption of the charter sends a clear message to both staff and the employer of the branch’s recognition of the need for safer and more inclusive working environments for OU’s LGBTQ+ staff and students.

https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/10177/Statement-reaffirming-UCUs-commitment-trans-inclusion

https://www.ucu.org.uk/LGBT+charter