Rules, Agreements and Forms

If you are interested in becoming a Rep, please don't feel you need to start by reading the constitution! Email the branch mailbox and someone will have a chat with you. If you're still interested, all Reps are entitled to paid time off for training when they start in the role. This is everything you need to get started, and for everything else we have a mentoring system.  

Branch rules 

A branch motion was passed in March 2024 to make changes to rules 13.1 and 13.2, the new version of our branch rules is here: branch rules. 

Travel expenses

If you have attended any OU branch of UCU meeting or event, please use the form below to claim expenses from the branch. National UCU events and training course expenses are claimed from UCU nationally, please contact ucu@open.ac.uk to request a printed copy of the expenses claim form. 

The mileage rate has been increased to 41p per mile from 1st August 2022. 

Expenses claim form

Online Code of Conduct

The branch created an online code of conduct in January 2022 and it is now in place for our Executive and AL reps committees, view code of conduct. 

UCU members' code of conduct 

Career Development and Staff Appraisal (CDSA) agreements 

1987 - CDSA agreement between the OU and AUT (AUT was the Association of University Teachers, which was the old name for UCU, AUT merged with NATFHE in 2006) 

2007 - CDSA Agreement between the OU and UCU 

Joint Agreements 

We have a procedure document showing the agreement between the OU and the UCU branch with regard to the agreed arrangements for formal discussions and negotiations on matters of mutual interest and concern.  The time off document outlines the agreement between the OU and the UCU branch for staff wanting to take time out of their day job for Trade union activities. 

Both of these agreement files are on the People Services intranet (OU staff only)

ACAS Codes of Practice

Further guidance on disciplinary and grievance procedures, on the university releasing information to trade unions, on paid time for union representatives, settlement agreements, and on flexible working, can be found at ACAS.

UCU National Fighting Fund

The UCU National Fighting Fund normally supports members of UCU during disputes where substantial pay is deducted for taking part in industrial action. Where funding is made available to members, this is normally only after the third full working day of industrial action and lost pay.