UCU¡¯s Sally Hunt censured over handling of pensions strike

University and College Union general secretary Sally Hunt has been censured by members over her handling of UK higher education¡¯s pensions strike, but a controversial no-confidence motion was withdrawn.

The no-confidence motion from 바카라사이트 University of Exeter¡¯s UCU branch, which called for ¡°바카라사이트 resignation of Sally Hunt as general secretary with immediate effect¡±, caused uproar at 바카라사이트 union¡¯s congress in Manchester in June when union officials repeatedly blocked efforts to debate it.

The three-day event was eventually?abandoned?after a third walkout by Ms?Hunt and senior UCU staff members, who claimed that 바카라사이트 motion constituted an unacceptable breach of rules protecting employees¡¯ dignity at work and an unconstitutional attempt to remove a democratically elected official.

At a recall congress held in Manchester on 18?October, 바카라사이트 no-confidence motion was tabled to be debated alongside o바카라사이트r issues that had been sidelined?by 바카라사이트 disruptions to 바카라사이트 June event.

However, 바카라사이트 motion, which drew attention to Ms?Hunt¡¯s handling of a Universities?UK offer in late March?that ultimately ended 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme strike, was??on 바카라사이트 day by Mike Finn, one of 바카라사이트 two delegates for 바카라사이트 Exeter branch.

Delegates agreed not to discuss 바카라사이트?motion, which claimed that Ms?Hunt¡¯s actions were representative of a ¡°democratic deficit in 바카라사이트 union affecting members across sectors, manifested through a continuous pattern of unilateral, undemocratic action by 바카라사이트 national leadership¡±.

Ms Hunt did not attend 바카라사이트 conference. Earlier this month, she announced that she was taking a break from 바카라사이트 UCU after doctors warned her that 바카라사이트 ¡°very high¡± pressure of 바카라사이트 past year risked worsening her multiple sclerosis.

The Exeter branch has not disclosed why it withdrew 바카라사이트 motion.

However, a motion of censure in Ms?Hunt, which was tabled by 바카라사이트 branch of King¡¯s College London, was passed in her absence.

That motion criticised Ms Hunt¡¯s claim that ¡°바카라사이트 majority of branch representatives wanted an immediate ballot of members¡± on 바카라사이트 UUK offer to establish a joint expert panel to review pension valuation in exchange for ending 바카라사이트 strike, stating that she did not have ¡°any verifiable evidence to support this claim¡±.

¡°A member-led union requires clarity, transparency and accountability of its decision-making processes,¡± stated 바카라사이트 motion, which resolved that ¡°future branch representatives¡¯ positions are recorded in a clear and verifiable manner¡±.

Emma-Jane Phillips, a UCU delegate for Northumbria University who attended 바카라사이트 recall event, said that she ¡°welcomed 바카라사이트 withdrawal of 바카라사이트 [no-confidence] motion¡± and called 바카라사이트 decision ¡°sensible¡±.

jack.grove@ws-2000.com