Received from: UCU
Congress notes the right, articulated under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, to join a union and participate in industrial action.
Congress condemns the actions of university employers making punitive deductions to UCU members’ salaries (up to 100 per cent of salary) for participating in lawful action short of strike action (including a marking and assessment boycott) in furtherance of their campaign to improve pay and conditions. Congress also condemns other employers using similarly draconian measures elsewhere to attempt to intimidate workers into not taking industrial action.
Congress believes this is part of a co-ordinated attack by employers, supported by the Conservative government, on the right of working people to advance their interests through industrial means.
Congress believes these attacks are designed to intimidate workers, especially those who are low-paid, casualised, women, disabled, alongside Black and migrant workers.
Congress applauds the bravery of UCU members in continuing their action short of strike action despite vindictive pay deductions.
Congress condemns all attacks on trade unionists right to participate in industrial action.
Congress calls on the TUC to lead:
i. an industrial campaign to defend the right to engage in all forms of industrial action
ii. a political campaign to lobby opposition parties to enshrine the right to strike in statute and to repeal all anti trade union laws
iii. a public campaign to defend the right to participate in industrial action.
University and College Union