Councillors have written to Brighton University vice-chancellor Donna Whitehead urging her to halt moves that they say amount to derecognising the two main unions that represent staff.
Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove sent the letter yesterday (Wednesday 7 October) to protest about what they said was a proposal to scrap collective agreements with the UCU (University and College Union) and Unison.
The university said that this was not an accurate description of what was happening. It said that it had given both the UCU and Unison nine months’ notice of its intention to bring in a new framework for its dealings with the unions.
The changes are taking place at a time when universities across the country are cutting jobs to trying to save money.
One union official said that when staff are being made redundant, the branch does more than just fight to save jobs.
It can also make the process smoother all round and help reduce the likelihood of cases unnecessarily being taken to employment tribunals. As a result, the current union arrangements save the university money.
The Labour councillors wrote: “We are writing to express our serious concern at the University of Brighton’s decision to give notice on terminating its recognition agreement with UCU and Unison and associated collective agreements.
“We believe this decision is wrong and should be reversed. Trade union recognition is not an obstacle to a successful university.
“Effective collective representation gives employees a meaningful voice in decisions affecting their jobs, pay and working conditions and provides an established mechanism for employers and staff to resolve difficult issues through negotiation.
“Unison has said that the recognition agreement has existed for 20 years and that unions and the university have worked through it on matters including sick pay, maternity and parental leave, annual leave and flexible working.
“UCU says the agreements cover all aspects of all workers’ contracts, including pay and grading, sick pay, maternity and paternity provision, working hours and more.
“Against that background, dismantling these arrangements represents a major change in the university’s relationship with its workforce.
“We appreciate the profound financial challenges facing higher education. But financial difficulty cannot be a justification for weakening the collective voice of staff.
“Indeed, when difficult decisions have to be made, meaningful consultation and negotiation become more important.
“The University of Brighton is an important institution in our city. Its staff educate our residents, contribute to our economy and communities and many live in the wards we represent.
“We therefore cannot regard what is happening as simply an internal industrial-relations matter.
“We urge the university to pause the termination process immediately, retain recognition of UCU and Unison and enter meaningful negotiations with both unions to resolve the issues that have led to the present situation.
“We would also ask you to provide a clear explanation of
- why the university believes ending the existing recognition arrangements is necessary
- what arrangements it proposes should replace them
“We hope the university will step back from this course before lasting damage is done to trust between the institution and its staff.”
The university said: “The university has begun discussions with its recognised trade unions about a future framework for employment arrangements and a new recognition agreement.
“These discussions are intended to replace approximately 28 collective agreements with a more modern employment framework that better supports staff, students and the institution’s long-term ambitions.
“The university has been clear that this work is not about reducing or withdrawing colleagues’ existing terms and conditions, contractual benefits or employment protections including annual leave, occupational sick pay, maternity and paternity pay, parental leave and notice periods.
“Nor is the university seeking to weaken the role of its recognised trade unions.
“All existing collective agreements remain in place during the nine-month notice period while discussions take place, with the university committed to working collaboratively with its trade unions to develop and agree the new framework.”
Professor Whitehead said: “I deeply value the important role our trade unions play in representing colleagues and contributing to university life.
“I want to be very clear that we are not reducing or withdrawing colleagues’ terms and conditions, contractual benefits or employment protections.
“These discussions are about working with our trade unions to create arrangements that are fit for a modern university and support colleagues, students and our future ambitions.
“I am committed to constructive engagement and meaningful dialogue throughout the process and look forward to working collaboratively with our recognised trade unions.”
Sadly in Brighton Unions have to much power and think they have a right to say and do whatever they want. Bizarre that the Counicl stand up for them when they have so many problems with the Unions- look at all of the problems with the binmen and their union involvement and bullying. Ultimately the problem is the council need the unions and vice versa. Because without each other there is no role for either in the modern business world.
I thought Universities were PROUD to recognise Unions and claimed to be champions of fairness, diversity and inclusivity. Not a good look for all the idealistic young students doing their degrees there if things have changed.
Unions also claim to be a lot of things, they should stick to their intended purpose and format.
Without the unions you would still be in servitude, unable to freely express your views!
I was criticising the University if you re-read my message.
Rubbish, reformists were doing much more before the Combination Act 1799 which made Unions illegal then legalised again in 1800, the various Unions have claimed to be responsible for a number of things and some of it is true, free speech is not one of them. Try speaking your mind on illegals, Palestine, U.S. proxy wars like Ukraine, see how much “free speech” you really don’t have.
Universities. The enemies of the people.
Take what you can, give nothing back.
I find infuriating that the VC persistently uses being working class and being raised (I believe) on a council estate as a selling point, almost used this equality perspective ( to create a selling point) to obtain the role and then does this to a Trade Union because it is a contradiction in terms.
Brighton is an expensive city compared to where I come from but I had a plan to manage it. This uncertainly is appalling on staff mental health and complete lack of transparency as to why and the overriding plan.