We are in need of delegates for the UCU special Higher Education Sector Conference (HESC) about USS on 6th December (http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu971.html) and the UCU Democracy Commission Special Congress on 7th December (http://www.ucu.org.uk/circ/html/ucu976.html). If we don’t get enough volunteers, we won’t be able to use the full extent of our branch’s influence in our Union.
For context, the HESC meeting is a one-off special meeting which will focus on deciding and planning our future position on the USS dispute. The Democracy Commission is a body set up after the 2018 strikes to ensure a grassroots, member-led, UCU after widespread disappointment with the way the former union leadership ended the dispute. This conference will consider the recommendations of the Democracy Commission and decide the future of the UCU’s democratic structures (something we all agree will be crucial if we are forced to strike again).
The Cardiff UCU General Meeting next week will be the last chance for confirming delegates – so if anyone thinks they might put themselves forward, or would like to know more, please email ucu@cardiff.ac.uk as soon as possible.
The meetings are in Manchester, but the branch will be able to provide travel and accommodation expenses.