CCCU UCU members have reported concerns about some transphobic stickers being discovered in the toilets near the SCR recently. These were removed and reported to the Facilities Helpdesk by a gender fluid UCU member. Subsequently, the Facilities Helpdesk informed several managers in the Facilities Department, the Head of Equity & Inclusion, Housekeeping, and Security supervisors. Other staff members also reported the same incident to the Director of HR, Head of People, Culture & Inclusion, and the Chair of the Equity & Inclusion Committee. Similar instances have taken place in the Verena Holmes building previously, and the University is aware of this. The University is promising to ‘monitor further instances’ and if there are any further similar incidences, ‘a decision can be made if further action needs to be taken’. They also highlighted the procedure for reporting incidences and the support available to affected staff:
Report + Support – Canterbury Christ Church University
The sentiments of these stickers go against national UCU policy on LGBT+ rights and inclusion, the local branch LGBTQIA+ Inclusion Policy, and the University’s Trans & Non-Binary Inclusion Policy. The impact that these types of microaggressions have had on staff has been greatly distressing, and has led to feelings of members not being able to trust one’s own colleagues, as the recent incident was in facilities largely used by staff. Members have been left feeling unsafe, unwelcomed, excluded, fearful of coming onto campus, and this has had a significant effect on their mental and physical wellbeing. For our trans, non-binary, and gender fluid members, the effect has been most greatly felt, and this is yet another incident in the increasingly hostile environment both within and outside of the University.
CCCU UCU Exec Committee call on CCCU management to put out a clear statement to all staff that these types of acts will not be tolerated and encourage staff and visitors to report any further such incidents, or indeed any harassment whilst using the facilities. We ask that immediate and visible action is taken, and are happy to work with SMT, our members, and the CCCU LGBTQIA+ Staff and Student Networks to suggest what form these might take. We will be raising this issue at the next Joint Negotiating and Consultation Committee (JNCC) meeting on Monday 19th June.
Incidents such as this, and the exclusionary environment they create show just how relevant it is that UCU members at CCCU voted recently to sign up to UCU’s new LGBT+ Charter (https://www.ucu.org.uk/LGBT+charter). At our quorate Branch Meeting on Thursday 11th May 2023, members voted as follows:
Do you agree that the branch should sign up to the UCU LGBT+ Charter, as per the recommendation of the Executive Committee?
| In person | Online | TOTAL | |
| Yes | 6 (55%) | 9 (82%) | 15 (68%) |
| No | 1 (9%) | 1 (9%) | 2 (9%) |
| Abstain | 4 (36%) | 1 (9%) | 5 (23%) |
| TOTAL | 11 (100%) | 11 (100%) | 22 (100%) |
With a majority of 68%, the motion was passed and the branch was duly signed up to the UCU LGBT+ Charter. Signing up to the Charter will allow the branch to have representation on a soon-to-be formed UCU LGBT+ Forum, and access to more support from UCU Equality Officers. The Branch will soon be in receipt of some UCU Pride Progress lanyards, and members of the Executive Committee have met recently with UCU’s Equality Support Official LGBT to discuss other visible ways the branch can indicate its commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights and support of the LGBT+ Charter. Once these arrive, interested members will be invited to collect them from us. There is also an opportunity for members to join UCU’s walking group at London Pride on Saturday July 1st this year. There are a limited number of wristbands. UCU will support travel within the area of the Pride London event. If you are interested please complete this form.
CCCU UCU is committed to providing an inclusive environment in which everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
