Our January General Meeting brought members together both in person and online, with a quorate turnout reflecting strong ongoing engagement with the branch’s work. The meeting offered a detailed overview of recent activity, current negotiations, and the wide range of issues the branch is actively working on to support members.
A significant part of the meeting focused on branch activity since the last General Meeting. Members heard about the breadth of work currently underway, with around 40 live issues on the branch’s active “to do” list. This includes ongoing negotiation and consultation work, such as further workshops with senior management to clarify and strengthen negotiation principles. The branch is also responding to the piloting of AI systems in teaching that took place without union consultation, calling additional negotiation meetings and working to ensure union oversight and member representation in this rapidly developing area.
Workload continues to be a major concern, particularly ongoing attempts to deliver “more with less” in revised workload models. Alongside this, the branch remains engaged with restructures affecting a number of colleagues, including changes within Academic Language Support. Casework remains substantial, with around 30 cases currently open, many involving formal disciplinary or capability processes. The branch is also supporting members through redeployment and redundancy processes, and has escalated concerns where serious shortcomings in HR information or advice have affected colleagues.
The meeting also covered a revised Appeals Policy and Ordinance, affecting appeals in disciplinary, capability, and dismissal cases. These changes were prompted by new academic line management arrangements and followed negotiation aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and fairness. The revised documents better align procedures, clarify wording, and take account of union caseworker availability. Members voted by a strong majority to approve the revised policy.
Updates on campaigns highlighted the branch’s wider organising and engagement work. These included sharing a new social media video project explaining why colleagues are in the union and upcoming CPD opportunities such as a session on embedding climate education in the curriculum, which is open to non-members as well. The branch is also continuing efforts to recruit and support PhD students, many of whom are eligible for free or very low-cost membership, and has contributed to sector-level consultations on pay and conditions.
Practical issues affecting members’ everyday working lives were also discussed, including car parking following recent closures to enable new building work. Members shared reflections on the impact of reduced parking availability and the challenges posed by temporary car parks.
The meeting concluded with an open floor, giving members the opportunity to raise questions, share experiences, and suggest issues for the branch to take forward. Members were encouraged to stay involved, get in touch with questions or ideas, and help shape the branch’s ongoing work.
