The University Council is the University’s governing body whose duty it is to approve the strategic direction of the University and other important decisions regarding its business and management. The University is reducing the number of Council members and, as part of this, proposes to remove the two nominated union trustees for the first time in our history. All campus unions are dismayed by this, flying in the face of widespread practice as it does and apparently seeking to silence the authentic voice of staff.

The allocation of two union nominated trustees on Council is recognition of the importance of participative and transparent governance which we would obviously want to see continue. Trade union nominated trustees have the skills set and experience needed to contribute crucial knowledge and local ‘intelligence’ regarding industrial and public relations across campus. The members from the unions provide a direct link to all staff, especially on matters of urgency and high sensitivity. Taking away designated trade union seats from Council is causing mistrust, damaging relations between the University and trade union members, and jeopardising our long-standing good industrial relations.

We have urged the University to consider how the loss of union nominees on Council would also affect both the wellbeing of its staff and the reputation of the institution. We do not understand why the University seems bent on destroying trust and workings relationships built up over decades and are therefore hoping for a realisation that such a step is unnecessary, all the more so in the current environment in which close cooperation between all parties is essential.

This post follows on from “We wanted to negotiate, but we are losing our seat at the table”

For more detail, please see our position paper (here) compiled on behalf of UCU, Unite and Unison committees