Fairness in Appeals Process

Fairness in Appeals Process 

Back in January UNISON@LJMU informed you of the below change to the LJMU Disciplinary Policy, where the final independent appeals stage is currently overseen by the Board of Governors.

 

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27^th January 2021

The Board of Governors has requested that LJMU remove them from the appeal stage for disciplinary hearings within LJMU. In the proposed change they would be replaced by members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT).

The three unions at LJMU have serious concerns about this change. Since 1996 the Board of Governors has been the last stage, in the appeals process. Along with that, they are the only independent body within the university. The majority of the appeals, that are brought and heard before the Board of Governors are won in favor of the unions. It’s not as if there are many of them as they number on average, three per year.

This is a major unprecedented change in Higher Education (HE). From the research undertaken by members of the UCU Branch Committee. No other Higher Education Institutions (HEI) have removed the Board of Governors from this process.

We are asking for every member to support the three unions in this issue. This makes a big difference directly in people's lives. As jobs are kept or lost through this process. The three unions believe that removing the Board of Governors, it makes the appeals procedure unbalanced in favor of the university.

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GMB, UCU, and UNISON@LJMU have worked hard communicating with members and none members across the university estate. Trying to rally support to oppose this move.

 

Unfortunately, we have to report that we have been defeated in this fight. The decision has been made and the governors have been removed from the policy. The new policy has been imposed against the joint union's recommendations.

 

The final independent stage from now on is conducted by an LJMU Manager making it not independent at all.