Another tribunal (UCU this time)

[ifIwerenotanandroid]

Will this one be accessible online? I'm always the last to hear about this stuff so I thought I'd get in early this time (it's next month). I've just seen a tweet about it, but it's to do with crowdfunding, so I think I can't link to it. It's about bringing 'an employment tribunal claim against UCU for unlawfully discriminating against us because of our protected 'gender critical' beliefs':

'Scheduled screenings of our film have twice been cancelled by protestors at the University of Edinburgh. On both occasions the Edinburgh branch of the Universities and College Union (UCU) denounced the film as 'hate speech' and 'transphobic'. We are members of UCU and yet the union has treated us and the film as beyond the pale and unworthy of a place on campus. '

All info gratefully received.

RoyalCorgi· Today 12:22

And also because they provide so much unintentional hilarity.

Sadly, not for the poor complainant.

UCU gets taken to court over its authoritarian love of censorship incoming.

Tuesday after next is the preliminary hearing on March 26th 2024. The purpose of this hearing will be to identify the issues and set directions and a case timetable. At last UCU will have to account for their behaviour rather than sticking their fingers in their collective ears and screaming 'transphobe' at all and sundry.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing the outcome of this!

Got email today from https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/in-defence-of-academic-freedom - the ‘Adult Human Female’ film case by Deirdre O'Neill and Michael Wayne.
Seems to be no way of adding a Comment to the crowdjustice page without donating.
I want to know why they have brought an employment tribunal claim against UCU. I understand about the unlawful discrimination because of their protected 'gender critical' beliefs.
But UCU is not their employer. UCU is their union. Why is it an employment tribunal case? It sounds more like Shahrar Ali’s case against the Green Party - https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/worthy-of-respect-in-a-political-party - where the County Court ruled (9 February 2024) that the Green Party committed acts of unlawful discrimination against Ali because of his protected 'gender critical' beliefs.

See comment made by nauticant on p.1 of the thread - apparently it’s possible to bring a case against a union. Any other updates?

This is the latest update:

“The preliminary hearing of our case took place on Monday 25th March. The employment judge didn’t understand why UCU denies that its treatment of us is unwanted and wanted to know what the reason for UCU’s behaviour was, if not our protected beliefs. UCU have been ordered to provide further information about this by 16 April.

We also now have a final hearing listed for 31 March – 4 April 2025. There is plenty of work for our solicitors to undertake between now and then, so please spread the word and donate if you can.”

Ah, what a shame we’ll have to wait for almost another year for the hearing …

Thanks, Meanacademic Today 05:39. I found the comment made by nauticant on p.1 of the thread. And it is at https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals#:~:text=You%20can%20make%20a%20claim,unfair%20dismissal too. Still confused as to how this works, however.

I wonder if UCU will attempt to settle now? Given that the tribunal clearly doesn't think their behaviour is reasonable.

But...it's the UCU,.so.maybe not.

Pisses me off that these people are continually described as hard left when they are not representative of the left at all.

The bit about 'potential employer' is quite interesting. I remember something from last year when a job was advertised (PA to a business owner or similar) and information about the job had something to indicate that gender-critical views would not be accepted (can't remember the wording).

I think Maya shared it on social media and pointed out that it is possible to bring a tribunal claim against a prospective employer.

This is UCU response to the Cass Review - actual tears!

That Twitter thread has to be a wind-up .... surely?

I mean OK, I packed UCU in a couple of years ago but these are academics and surely they all know what solid research looks like?

It's real combabe

Brings to mind that "mad, angry cry" tweet of a few months back. Cant recall who it was though.

They're an embarrassment.

Rosie Jones I think.

Just posting a link to the BMJ's article on the Cass report, which completely refutes the 'shoddy' accusation:
https://www.bmj.com/content/385/bmj.q837
UCU.. remind me again what the first U stands for? It can't be anything to do with facts, or research, or objectivity or anything, obvs🙄

Embarrassing. Irresponsible. Damaging to our sector. I can only hope this resolution will be ignored.

They are clearly nuts.

Isn't it UCU who've been protesting against 'Let Women Speak' this weekend?

'Combabes '. Good grief.

I’m in the ucu and I hate that I am. They seriously call each other comrades throughout meetings. I feel like I’ve joined some sort of Cold War resistance group.

“combabes”

In place of comrades presumably?

Words fail me.

They seriously call each other comrades throughout meetings.

Do they do that ironically?

Or larping Citizen Smith?

edited to add: are they all blokes?

And the NEU. And Unite the Union.