Motion on Solidarity with LSBU UCU

Reading UCU notes the serious attack on the jobs of staff at LSBU UCU branch.   

Reading UCU resolves   

1. To send a message of solidarity to LSBU  
2. To pledge to donate £250 to the hardship funds of LSBU   

Motion: University of Sheffield Global Academic Boycott

This Branch notes: 

1. That national UCU has called for a global academic boycott of the University of Sheffield in response to Sheffield management’s repeated imposition of ‘double deductions’, whereby staff who took industrial action to protect their jobs and fight the cuts have been subject to further deductions if they refused to make up teaching lost to industrial action. 
2. That the boycott called for by national UCU includes: 

• To refuse to speak at or organise academic or other conferences at the University of Sheffield 
• to refuse to give lectures at the University 
• to refuse to accept positions as visiting professors or researchers at the University 
• to refuse to accept new contracts as external examiners for taught courses at the University 
• to publicly decline honorary degrees/doctorates from the University of Sheffield. 

The Branch believes that: 

1. the University of Sheffield’s actions demands a strong and coordinated response and solidarity across branches 
2. attacks on trade‑union rights at any university threaten the entire sector supporting the boycott signals that the sector will not tolerate punitive treatment of staff
   
   The Branch resolves: 

1. to publicly endorse and participate in the global academic boycott of the University of Sheffield, as called for by national UCU. 
2. to call on branch members to observe the boycott guidelines 
3. to send a message of solidarity to Sheffield UCU 
4. to pledge to donate £100 to the hardship fund of Sheffield UCU