The University of Birmingham branch of UCU agrees to create a local strike hardship fund – “University of Birmingham local hardship fund, 2019-20” (the FUND), to open on 12 November 2019, and to close when the current two industrial disputes over pay and pensions are declared finished.

The purpose of the FUND will be to pay a hardship payment to UCU members taking part in strike action in the forthcoming strike actions planned for 25 November to 4 December, and any further strike dates that might occur during the current dispute.

The Fund shall be administered by the University of Birmingham branch committee, deciding on necessary decisions on the basis of a majority vote of all current committee members.

The Fund may receive donations from members and other institutions, including the branch fund of the University of Birmingham UCU.

Payments should be made on the following basis: £50 to be paid to all striking staff members who consider themselves to be suffering hardship as a result of the strike action, and who attend and register for both pickets on their first two days of strike action that are currently planned, and any further payments as may be agreed by those administering the Fund.

In order to apply for this payment, members should register with UCU on relevant strike days, on the picket registration, and indicate on that register that they also require the hardship fund to be paid to them.

No payments will be made which exceed the amount which currently is owned by the Fund. In cases where claims on the Fund exceed the amount of money which it has available to it, members will be informed that they will receive an equal proportion of their claim, according to what is affordable to the Fund.

Those administering the Fund will keep a secure record of all donations and payments made in order to show, and ensure that this is highlighted as the relevant and separate income and expenditure respectively within their annual branch accounts.

Upon closing the Strike Fund, any unspent money will be re-allocated to the University of Birmingham branch of UCU, to be used as normal UCU University of Birmingham branch funds.

Upon closing the Strike Fund, a report will be given to the next scheduled branch members’ meeting, setting out the amount collected, the amount spent, the remaining balance, and what the remaining balance has been spent on.

None of the above shall contravene National UCU rules, and if such a contravention is considered to have occurred then National UCU rules will take priority.

Motion 2: Donation to the University of Birmingham local hardship fund, 2019-20

This branch donates £5000 to the University of Birmingham local hardship fund, 2019-20, for use under the terms of that fund, and specifically to provide hardship payments to staff suffering hardship as a result of the currently planned industrial action for 25 November to 4 December, and any further strike dates that might occur during the current dispute.