Branch Delegates Meeting Report, 4th December

Key takeaways

• UCU needs a proper strategy for Higher Education
• Branch delegates report that the ballot was ill-timed, and that job security is the current priority for members
• Branch delegates call for intense and focused campaigning efforts
• HEC will revisit the Secretary of State dispute at its next meeting in spring 2026

Introduction

A Branch Delegate Meeting (BDM) was held on Thursday 4th December, scheduled following the ballot results on 2nd December. The BDM went ahead after the unsuccessful ballot so that HE officers and HEC members could hear from branches. Despite the many pressures branches are facing, the meeting was well-attended, with limited time meaning that many delegates did not have an opportunity to speak (though other mechanisms will facilitate further contribution). UCU President-Elect Dyfrig Jones chaired the BDM, and used progressive platforming to ensure that a diverse mix of branches were able to contribute. Several members of the Higher Education Committee, including some from UCU Commons, attended the meeting in an observer capacity. Those of us who attended found the meeting to be productive, and, for once, the granular local insights from branch delegates was a reminder of how constructive BDMs can be. This report is a brief summary of the key points raised at the meeting.

Reasons for the failure of the ballot

• First of all, we should acknowledge all the time and labour that went into trying to win this ballot from branches and individuals. Some branches were highly engaged and directed significant resources towards the ballot, with many surpassing the 50% turnout threshold. These branches, and especially those that are smaller and have fewer resources, should be commended for their organising efforts and capacities. However, it is quite understandable that many other branches could not engage with the ballot, needing to concentrate their time, resources and members’ energies on fighting local disputes. 
• Some branch delegates conveyed a lack of trust in ‘National’ for a mandate (though exactly what or who ‘National’ is was often left unspecified). Some asked on what grounds HEC had thought the chance for a successful ballot was realistic enough, and whether the poor response rate (32%) for the summer consultative ballot had been factored into the decision. Others called for ‘national’ to engage more closely with branches and learn from them, rather than imposing a specific agenda.
• Some delegates drew attention to campaigning and communication materials, highlighting delays and that the materials supplied did not meet their needs. In this context it was interesting to hear from UCU staff that the direct costs alone for the ballot ran into the six figures. Civica, the independent scrutineer who by law has to oversee the balloting process, may have a case to answer, but this has been a colossal waste of money regardless.
• Despite the fact that this was a pay dispute, some delegates questioned why non-pay issues lacked prominence. Jones explained that this was primarily for legal reasons: since the decision had been taken to ballot over pay, the union’s communications had to centre pay, as the inclusion of other issues could have had adverse consequences for the union under trade union legislation. 
• Branch delegates overwhelmingly reported that the ballot campaign failed to resonate because pay is not the current priority for members. Branches are confronting other problems (in many cases fighting local disputes over redundancies and course closures), but delegates also brought up other issues including the sectoral funding crisis, exceptionally high volumes of casework, job security, the cost of living, workloads, concern for migrant staff, gender and race inequalities and pensions. For instance, Northumbria UCU has just entered a bitter dispute with the university over its attempts to force members away from TPS and onto USS.
• Some members from branches in the devolved nations suggested that the ballot campaign had fallen victim to an England-centric mentality and approach to balloting. In particular, Northern Ireland is in a specific situation because the 50% turnout threshold does not apply there, together with its unique political and institutional context. 

Suggestions from branch delegates

• Many branch delegates present called for a period of reflection following the ballot’s failure, with some suggestions of no national action until at least the next academic year.
• One delegate remarked that the ballot, together with its failure, has exacerbated the fragmentation that was already plaguing the sector, suggesting the importance of strategies to resist this. 
• Branch delegates were clear in their appeals for a clear strategy with winnable goals. Several delegates reaffirmed the importance of strong national support for local disputes against redundancies and course closures. 
• The union should commit to building density as part of a long-term strategy, rather than trying to sustain endless cycles of balloting and industrial action. This was echoed by other delegates, who emphasised the need to bring as many members along as possible, and a delegate from a post-92 institution, who insisted that ‘national’ action that brings no results for post-92 branches cannot be justified. The union should also conduct more research on what member priorities are.
• There was a strong, UK-wide consensus among branch delegates around the need for robust political and public-facing campaigning. Several delegates called for national campaigns highlighting the sectoral funding crisis and the value (both intrinsic and economic) of HE, including intensive lobbying of MPs with universities in their constituencies. 
• Some delegates called for specific campaign materials such as template letters for the funding crisis, or greater campaigning outreach: including a joint UCU-NUS campaign on cost of living issues to garner student support.
• Several branches also confirmed that they were formally in support of a dispute with the Secretary of State for Education, and wanted to know the current status of this activity. Jones confirmed in his closing remarks that the SoS dispute will be examined very closely at the next HEC meeting, though was careful to emphasise that this is not a silver bullet.