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.

Someone asked yesterday about the relevant guidance mentioned by the Judge:

https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/14-Sept-2020-SPT-ET-EW-PG-Remote-and-In-Person-Hearings-1.pdf

It's now Professor Mike Wayne being cross-examined by counsel for UCU.

https://jrlevins.co.uk/mr-m-wayne-ms-d-oneill-v-university-and-college-union-3309730-3309731-2023/

This link contains the Statement of Claim by O'Neill and Wayne. Very interesting.

Morning all

Dogwhistle!😂

But does a union have freedom to campaign on issues that is separate from their representation of members?

Could a union pass a resolution supporting clean water standards, and then demonstrate/speak against a member who had a non academic role advising a water company?

Or would the campaigning on water standards jeopardise their standing as a union?

I am also wondering exactly this. My branch has passed lots of resolutions and motions on Palestine. How does this relate to their function as a union? Defending Palestinian members I could understand, but this goes way beyond that.

Incidentally they also just passed a motion condemning the Office for Students for the Sussex fine, and supporting the VC at Sussex in appealing it. Isn’t this also beyond their remit? I’ve lost the ability to tell anymore.

Ahh, now counsel for UCU is explicitly linking "adult human female" to KJK. He's circling around the suggestion that she's the source of the title of the film.

Yes, could see this coming a mile off

Counsel for UCU has explicitly stated that KJK has advocated for women's toilets to be policed by men with guns and put it to Wayne that he can't rebut this.

Is dogwhistle really all they've got?

Counsel for UCU is now linking "adult human female" to MAGA.

Yes, I think it is

There are other dictionary definitions of women?

are we going to get the elusive “alternative definition” of woman I wonder…?

Do we have the bundle yet?

I think some Canadians made some hats with MAGA - Make America Go Away

This barrister's questions are making me v angry.

Yes 😡

How long before we get to fascism and genocide?

(Have had to abandon observing for today, my headphones keep disconnecting and I’m with others so I can’t risk “transmitting” the case)

That might be the case but one theme in Wayne's evidence is that the film's critics are continually misunderstanding and misrepresenting it.

That would be more compelling as an argument if UCU weren't on social media explicitly linking the right to protest about Palestine with academic freedom (presumably also for university staff whose research doesn't directly touch on the Israel-Palestine conflict): https://bsky.app/profile/ucu.org.uk/post/3lkpzlsemcc2r

Just been chucked out as NC's camera is frozen so they are removing observers to make a bit of space. Hopefully we will get back in

(I'm at a University where UCU is in direct opposition to the VC about the right to protest about Palestine, so I'm very interested in the wider ramifications from this particular ET!)

Here we go - 'black people in America'

As far as I know KJK doesn't have a trademark on the term 'Adult Human Female', and at least some of the people in the documentary (e.g. Jane Clare Jones) have been very vocal in their disagreement with KJK.

Counsel for UCU attempting to out-academic Professor Mike Wayne is an interesting move: https://www.plutobooks.com/author/mike-wayne/