UCU being taken to tribunal over discrimination for 'gc' views

[ArabellaScott]

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/gender-critical-documentary-makers-take-ucu-tribunal

The filmmakers of 'Adult Human Female' are taking UCU to tribunal.

I'll try to find an archive copy.

Text from their crowdfunder - I'd completely missed this:

'We are academics and the directors of the documentary feature Adult Human Female, the first UK film to explore the clash between women's rights and trans activists promoting gender identity claims.

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.

We are raising funds to bring an employment tribunal claim against UCU for unlawfully discriminating against us because of our protected 'gender critical' beliefs. UCU champions those who believe that men who identify into the opposite sex should be treated in policy and law as women. We believe that this view is harmful to women's sex-based rights. UCU not only disagrees with our position but opposes our right to screen the film and discuss the issues.

UCU is the main academic union in the university sector. It needs to conduct itself in a way that protects academic freedom for all members engaged in reasoned debate. We are taking this action because we hope that it will encourage UCU to alter course. UCU should protect the employment and civil liberties rights of all members, not just those of trans rights activists.

Gender critical beliefs are protected in law. It is unlawful for a union to discriminate against its members by harassing them or subjecting them to any form of 'detriment'. UCU has lost many members over this issue.'

Archive of the OP article. ET starts on.the 31st if March:

https://archive.ph/sP6UY

Thanks Arabella. This will be a very interesting tribunal. I wonder who their barrister is and who the UCU will choose.

I think this will be a significant case in that it may force the UCU to reconsider its position on how it regards ‘gender critical beliefs’. It might also find it can no longer act as it has without significant sanction. I can certainly imagine that if this one is successful, there may be others.

I hope this is another case for Naomi Cunningham, it sounds right up her street.

I can only imagine how ridiculous the defence is going to appear.

Here is a previous thread on the run-up to this tribunal:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5002140-another-tribunal-ucu-this-time?reply=134458020

I hope they are successful in challenging the gridlocked hold transactivism has on the university sector.

I strongly suspect that my children feel their view of me as a bigot must be vindicated as they see these institutions (which they assume are knowledgeable and trustworthy guides) banning women like me from expressing views that have even been vindicated in court as being worthy of respect.

They have done (and continue to do) enormous harm in driving a deliberate wedge between young adults and their parents.

Ahhh the 'combabes' lot. Thank you!

The Green Party don't seem to have reconsidered despite tribunal losses.

Where can we see this film?

No doubt though that if a showing were to be advertised, it would be beset by transactivists blocking the entrance to the cinema and making a racket.

This is true. However, the UCU is a professional body that is supposed to be a union working directly for its members. I wonder if that distinction that can be made between the purpose of the organisations might mean the UCU will have greater pressure to comply and adapt to a judgement.

https://adulthumanfemale.info

you can try this link.

or this one

5

Thanks, I will try to watch it tonight.

I only wish I could identify more GC people in my own circle of friends. I am doing what I can.

I think a lot of people just don't realise what is happening and how captured institutions have become.

I’m confused why this is an employment tribunal. I thought they would need to employed by the organisation rather than just members? I know we’ve discussed on other threads about members suing their union but I’m confused about this one.
Can anyone explain this please?

However, the UCU is a professional body that is supposed to be a union working directly for its members.

As we have seen in the Sandie Peggie ET and the RCN, this doesn't apply when Transactivism is the issue.

It is Naomi, see "current instructions" here! https://www.outertemple.com/barrister/naomi-cunningham/

Yes. Rather.

Wouldn’t it be great if this case changed that and forced unions to consider the needs of female people? I wish.

She is very busy!!

Typical phraseology in descriptions of ETs seems to be this: "A claim can be made if an employee thinks they have been treated unlawfully at work by their employer, potential employer or trade union. Unlawful treatment can include unfair dismissal, discrimination at work, breach of contract or unauthorised deductions from pay." I don't know what the underlying law is.

I'm sure that they ought to be able to get their subs back. They paid in under false pretences.

So if the UCU is a national body, does that mean if they win this against the Edinburgh branch, the UCU's defeat will be felt nationally, knock one down and they all fall down.

This case could have a major impact, I wish them all the success in the world.
If I get to the end of the month before I get to the end of my money, I'll contribute to the crowd funder, it seems like a worthy cause.

Thank you @fanOfBen
So it looks like their case is saying they were treated unlawfully at work by their TU. That would make more sense why it’s an ET

I pity anyone who is up against Naomi, she's so brilliant at these cases!

They don't need any more funding - their crowdfunding page says they're being funded by an organisation that prefers to remain in the background. Curious as to what that is!

Oh marvellous another chance to see NC in action. I still laugh at the poster on another thread who said you should live your life as if one day you would need to account for your actions to NC 😂

Will we be able to watch?