The University of Cambridge is coming under significant pressure to formally recognise its branch of the University and College Union (UCU), the biggest trade union in the UK for academics, lecturers, researchers and academic staff. The organisation represents over 120,000 workers in the UK, protecting their employment and professional interests.

The Cambridge division of UCU first called for formal university recognition 3 years ago. They are now continuing their pursuit working alongside Unite, the country’s largest union which has a membership of over 2 million workers. The aim of the campaign is to gain formal recognition for “academic staff”, a term that encompasses those involved in both education and research, in either a professional or administrative capacity.

There appears to be some hope for success in the unions’ claims as an informal arrangement has been agreed whereby the Trades Union Congress will work for the University of Cambridge’s academic staff. This is being seen as a promising step towards an accord that allows for full recognition.

A UCU spokesperson has commented : “We think there are substantial benefits to both staff and management from having orderly industrial relations”. He also added that USU is, “the recognised union for academic and academic-related staff working in the universities across the UK”.

If the workers’ union was fully, formally recognised, staff would then be able to take part in collective talks with the university concerning the terms and conditions of their work. With wage award negotiations taking place at the national level, such negotiations have not been missed in the field of wage bargaining but with more local issues such as the terms and conditions of work, negotiating rights are of essence for employees.

The argument against formal recognition is that the system and structure of government at this university is unique. The university’s governing body, Regent House, gives academics great powers of self-government and includes 3,800 academic and administrative staff. It is thought that the role of this body would simply be duplicated were the Cambridge branch of UCU to receive formal recognition.

Furthermore, relations between the unions and the management of the university have always been positive and cooperative, with members permitted to join national strikes when they wish to. A spokesman for the university confirmed that, “the University of Cambridge has a positive relationship with trades unions. UCU, Unite and Unison play an active consultation role and assist in the effective running of the University”.

Rather than this being deemed sufficient and full, formal recognition of the organisation thus redundant, a representative of UCU sees these good relations as an incentive for the university to give the union fuller recognition: “We already work positively with the university and other campus unions to ensure our members are effectively represented and have welcomed the recent constructive dialogue with the university on these issues”.