Councillors have written to Brighton University vice-chancellor Donna Whitehead urging her to halt moves to derecognise the two main unions that represent staff.
Labour councillors in Brighton and Hove sent the letter yesterday (Wednesday 7 October) to protest about the proposal to scrap collective agreements with the UCU (University and College Union) and Unison.
The university is understood to have given both unions nine months’ notice of its intention to derecognise the unions as universities across the country cut jobs to try 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 and help reduce the likelihood of cases unnecessarily being taken to employment tribunals. As a result, union recognition would 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.”
