The following motion was passed at a quorate branch meeting on 15th October 2025.
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Motion: amendments to branch rules
This branch resolves to make the following amendments to its rules (here, for reference):
8.7 – clarify criterion for anti-casualisation officer
Original text:
8.7 The role of anti-casualisation officer will ordinarily be filled by a member whose main employment is casualised, or who has, in the two years prior to their nomination, been in casualised employment as their main employment.
After amendment (addition highlighted):
The role of anti-casualisation officer will be filled by a member whose main employment is casualised. However, if there is no eligible candidate, the role can be filled by a member who has in the three years prior to their nomination been in casualised employment as their main employment, with a new call being made for the role (if no nominations from a recently casualised member are made).
Rationale: to clarify the meaning of “ordinarily” which we were advised by national UCU was too ambiguous.
9.2 – change to timeline for submitting nominations for committee positions
Original text:
9.2 Nominations
All nominations will be received in writing by the returning officer no later than the day that is 7 days before the day of the annual general meeting. Nominations must be accompanied by the written consent of the nominee and supported by the identifiable signatures of 2 members of the LA.
After amendment (addition highlighted):
All nominations will be received in writing by the returning officer no later than the day that is 21 days before the day of the annual general meeting. Nominations must be accompanied by the written consent of the nominee and supported by the identifiable signatures of 2 members of the LA.
Rationale: rule was amended in 2024 to better reflect branch practice, and reduce potential barriers to people wishing to put themselves forward for positions. However, this created an internal conflict within the rules and the proposed change resolves this and allows for ballots to take place should they be needed.
9.4 – addition of role-sharing to elections process
Following amendment (addition highlighted):
Subject to rule 10.4, if there is only one eligible candidate for any officer vacancy that candidate will be declared elected.
If the number of candidates to be ordinary members of the committee does not exceed the number of vacancies, those candidates will be declared elected.
If there is either more than one eligible candidate for any officer vacancy or more candidates than there are vacancies of ordinary members of the committee a ballot of the members of the LA will be conducted in accordance with rule 10.
Where eligible candidates agree to jointly share an officer role, they may be elected or co-opted as joint officers (up to a maximum of three). In the event that one joint officer resigns or is otherwise unable to continue, the committee shall determine how to proceed in consultation with the remaining joint officer(s) and subject to ratification by a quorate general meeting of the branch. The resolution may include (but is not limited to): the appointment of a new joint officer to the vacant position; the continuation of the remaining officer(s) in a solo or reduced capacity; or a recommendation to hold an election to fill the vacancy. Any solution must remain consistent with the duties and responsibilities outlined in these rules and the overarching rules of UCU.
13.1 & 13.2 – clarification of process for general meetings
Amendment: after “accepted at the discretion of the president” add, “VP or substitute chair; this decision may be challenged by the members in line with branch rule 3” in 13.1 and 13.2.
Rationale: to clarify process for AGM and other general meetings.