Motions

Motions passed by the branch will be published here. Previous motions coming soon!

Motion on the meaninglessness of the consultation for academic redundancies

Swansea UCU General Meeting, 15th April 2026

This branch believes:

* The consultation period on proposed redundancies for academic staff was not meaningful because of a failure of the University executive (SLT and FLTs) to properly explore alternatives to redundancies, according to their obligations in law and in the University’s Governances.

* Two major examples of where members proposed alternatives included the pausing or cancelling of two large tenders for Swansea Online provision and pausing recruitment for over 30 new posts, both of which were ignored.

* The University SLT and FLTs did not justify their pooling decisions coherently.

* The University SLT and FLTs did not respond substantively to concerns about the selection process, including the fact that in many cases no subject expert will be on a selection committee for a particular department and the fact that both parts of the selection process will be optional, resulting in an uneven and unfair selection mechanism.

* The process so far has been unfair in terms of the fidelity of notes taken from Human Resources personnel in individual consultations, and the conduct of FLT executives. This has included consultations paused due to colleagues feeling emotionally intimidated and misleading remarks made by management suggesting UCU approval of the redundancies process.

* The branch strongly advocates for a cancellation of the ongoing unfair and unreasonable process for compulsory redundancies, which is not only unjust, but also leaves the University at large legal, financial and reputational risk.

As a result, the branch resolves to:

* Distribute a press release explaining our views, along with contacting the assembly minister for Higher Education, detailing our concerns about how the University senior leadership has conducted this process.

Motion: University financial situation

Swansea UCU General Meeting 18th June 2025

The branch notes:

  • The announcement that the university will look to make £30 million of savings over the next academic year
  • The proliferation of senior leadership roles (academic and PS) at Swansea University and lack of transparency on how senior roles are evaluated
  • The lack of review of director level roles as part of the PS redesign

The branch believes

  • Higher education is fighting for its future
  • Swansea University has a role in calling for a fair, sustainable funding solution for UK HE
  • The current financial situation has been exacerbated by the crisis in the sector, but the sheer scale is the result of local decisions
  • The impact of budget cuts and reduction of staff numbers is most keenly felt by frontline staff

The branch resolves:

  • Calls on the VC to take a lead on calling for a renewed funding settlement and challenging politicians to fund HE
  • Reaffirms our stance that compulsory redundancies are a red line in terms of industrial action
  • Calls for a full redesign of senior leadership positions and a moratorium of recruitment to senior roles
  • To develop a local political strategy to support members to lobby their representatives

Motion: Solidarity and Support for Trans Members in Light of the EHRC Interim Update

Swansea UCU General Meeting 18th June 2025

This Branch Notes:

  • On 25 April, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) issued an interim update following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers that interprets “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 to mean the sex assigned at birth.
  • The EHRC has suggested that workplaces and service providers should segregate trans people based on their assigned sex at birth (rather than their gender identity) unless separate unisex facilities are available.
  • The EHRC guidance risks encouraging practices that force trans people to out themselves, breach their privacy, and expose them to discrimination and harm.
  • Such practices could further be in contravention of the Equalities Act which protects against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment, and the Data Protection Act which protects personal data.
  • These developments further marginalise trans and non-binary individuals, creating unsafe and hostile environments in workplaces and public spaces.

This Branch Believes:

  • All members have the right to privacy, dignity, and respect at work.
  • Trans and non-binary rights are trade union issues: undermining these rights weakens all workers’ protections.
  • The EHRC interim update does not promote equality but instead emboldens discrimination and increases the risk of harm to trans workers and service users.
  • The guidance would also be unfeasible for University staff to police and enforce.
  • Our union must take a strong and public stand in solidarity with trans and non-binary members, as well as our students.

This Branch Resolves:

1. Solidarity and Public Statement:

  • Issue a public statement affirming the branch’s support for trans and non-binary members, rejecting the EHRC’s recommendations for segregation.
  • Acknowledge and support the national union’s campaign against any moves that could undermine the rights of trans people.

2. Workplace Action:

  • Call on Swansea University to issue a public statement in advance of the new term (22 September 2025), affirming their support for trans and non-binary people, rejecting the EHRC’s recommendations for segregation.
  • Oppose any enforcement of segregation based on sex assigned at birth at Swansea University. 
  • Work with the employer to ensure that facilities are inclusive, prioritising the provision of single-user, lockable, gender-neutral spaces wherever possible. At a minimum, gender neutral toilets are needed in every building, on alternating floors. Trans staff and students should not be required to use these toilets unless they wish to do so.
  • Insist that the employer consult with trans and non-binary staff before making any changes to facilities or policies, and establish a confidential contact point within the branch for trans members to raise concerns or seek support.

Motion: Solidarity with Palestine

Swansea UCU General Meeting 18th June 2025

This branch notes:

1. Israel’s genocide in Gaza—confirmed by Amnesty International, the UN, and ICJ—has killed over 186,000 Palestinians since October 2023 and is causing deliberate mass starvation by blocking food/medicine to 2.3 million people. 14,000 babies are at risk of death due to malnutrition and lack of access to medical care.
2. Israel’s systematic scholasticide: destruction of all 12 universities in Gaza and murder of 5,000+ students, academics, and teachers.
3. The complicity of the US and UK governments, as well as NATO and the EU to this genocide.
4. The UK government’s ongoing military and political support for Israel (including arms sales) despite ICJ rulings, UN resolutions, and historic public protests demanding justice.
5. Swansea SU motion demanding:

  • Banning genocide-complicit companies from university events.
  • Full disclosure of university contracts/investments.
  • Updating ethical investment policy to exclude arms manufacturers.
  • For the university to support and adhere to the BDS (boycott, divestment, sanction) movement.

6. The Swansea UCU motion of support to the student encampment, passed on 5 June 2024.
7. UCU national policy supporting BDS, an immediate ceasefire and ending the siege of Gaza.

This branch believes:

1. SUSU’s demands are morally urgent, align with UCU policy, and demand Swansea University is not complicit in genocide, scholasticide, and occupation.
2. The UK government’s support for Israel—defying public outcry and international law—enables war crimes and famine.
3. Solidarity with Palestine requires:

  • An immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian aid.
  • Ending all UK military ties with Israel.
  • Recognition of Palestinian statehood under UN resolutions.

This branch resolves to:
1. Fully endorse the Swansea SU motion and demand the university:
2. Cease support of any genocide-profiteering companies and ban them from campus.
3. Publicly disclose all contracts/investments with firms linked to Israeli occupation.
4. Update its ethical investment policy to exclude arms manufacturers.
5. Campaign urgently via:
A public letter to Swansea’s Senior Leadership Team supporting the SU’s demands.

  • Publishing this letter on all branch platforms.
  • Organising a panel: “Swansea University & Occupation: Ending Complicity in Genocide”.

6. Demand the UK government:

  • Halt all arms sales to Israel and sanction its war crimes.
  • Demand the immediate opening of all humanitarian corridors to allow aid, water, food, medicine and doctors to be sent.
  •  Recognise Palestinian statehood based on the UN resolutions immediately.

Resources for ease of reference:
    Swansea UCU Statement in solidarity with student encampment passed June 5, 2024
      https://swanseauniversity-my.sharepoint.com/personal/nika_balomenou_swansea_ac_uk/Documents/Documents/UCU/UCU%20committee%20shared%20folder/Text%20of%20Swansea%20UCU%20Statement%20in%20solidarity%20with%20student%20encampment%205%20June%202024.docx?web=1
    Student Union motion, passed in student forum January 2025, and in amended form at SU Executive Committee and Board of Trustees meeting March 2025
     https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Z2vwMTMCH-HaDPrcsAsCKJpIQAHghMz/view
    Swansea University student encampment for Gaza: list of demands
     https://swanseauniversity-my.sharepoint.com/personal/nika_balomenou_swansea_ac_uk/Documents/Documents/UCU/UCU%20committee%20shared%20folder/Swansea%20University%20student%20encampment%20for%20Gaza%20list%20of%20demands%2013%20May%202024.docx?web=1
    Examples of `Complicity Reports’ from Warwick:
     https://warwickucu.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/SSSN-Demilitarisation-Report-Oct-2024.pdf

Motion: University financial situation

Swansea UCU General Meeting 5th November 2025

The branch notes:

  • The university’s plan to make £30 million of savings this academic year, £25 million of which will come through pay savings
  • Swansea UCU members have voted that they have no confidence in the leadership of the Vice Chancellor
  • Nearly 400 staff have left the university through the voluntary severance scheme over the last two years, with nearly 200 further roles being removed from the university structure.
  • Swansea UCU’s continued stance that compulsory redundancies are a red line in terms of industrial action
  • The university has been unwilling to commit to no compulsory redundancies in this academic year

The branch believes

  • The current financial situation has been exacerbated by the crisis in the sector, but the sheer scale is the result of local decisions and years of poor governance
  • The continued slashing of staff numbers is a threat to both the stability and future of the institution, and to staff wellbeing and workloads

The branch resolves:

  • To formally declare a dispute with the university, in light of the university’s inability to commit to no compulsory redundancies.

Motion: no compulsory redundancies

Swansea UCU General Meeting 27th November 2024

This branch notes the ongoing financial sustainability and redesign programme at Swansea University, which has seen over 200 members of staff leave via a voluntary exit scheme, with increased saving targets issued in September 2024.

This branch believes that UK HE is facing a sector-wide financial crisis which must be resolved by government, not borne by staff who are the backbone of universities.

This branch resolves, after 5 January 2025, to seek confirmation that there will be no compulsory redundancies. If the university cannot make this guarantee, the branch will declare a formal dispute with the university.