Press Release - 17 September 2026
University of Brighton derecognises trade unions in unprecedented attack on staff bargaining rights
On Monday 14th September 2026, the University of Brighton served a formal notice to terminate its Recognition Agreement with both UNISON and the University and College Union (UCU) branches. The University added that at the same time, ‘all collective agreements made under, or in connection with, the Recognition Agreement’ will be terminated.
Staff are shocked and appalled at this attack to their most fundamental rights. The agreements to be terminated cover all aspects of all workers’ contracts, including pay and grading, sick pay, maternity and paternity provision, working hours and more.
Derecognition would remove the University’s legal requirement to engage in collective bargaining, meaning there would be no standard contracts and instead every individual employee would require an individually written and agreed contract. Instead of negotiating with staff representatives, University management would unilaterally dictate employee contracts and working conditions.
A statement from the UCU branch said, “Declaring war on staff unions is an immediate threat to staff and students, and to the future of the University. It is a reckless gamble by senior management, all but guaranteeing a prolonged period of industrial unrest and deep reputational damage. This hostile move will only serve to further undermine staff morale and damage the University’s standing at a time when the institution can least afford it.
“UCU Brighton has a proud history of standing up for academic staff’s terms and conditions, not least those set out in the Post 92 National Contract. We understand the challenges the sector faces, but we will always stand against the University’s efforts to worsen employee contracts. The Recognition Agreement commits management and the unions to negotiate in good faith to protect the long-term interests of staff and students. Management are withdrawing from that agreement. We remain committed to that agreement and that principle. But we cannot negotiate under the explicit threat of derecognition. No union could.”
The branch is calling on the University to rescind the notice. Brighton UCU will resist any attempt to remove collective bargaining from the institution.
Contact Brighton UCU at UCU@brighton.ac.uk for press enquiries.
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