Cost-cutting moves to slim down the structure of the lecturers’ union NATFHE as it faces a possible Pounds 1 million deficit have cleared a first hurdle, writes Lucy Ward.
The union’s national executive agreed plans to hold elections for officers and national executive committee members every two years instead of one and to almost halve membership of the committee.
Both changes, together with a proposal to rewrite membership rules to widen eligibility, will now go before a special rules revision conference to be held on December 16 where a two-thirds majority will be needed to approve them.
A further plan to switch from an annual to a biennial conference with fewer delegates is likely to be considered soon. One NEC member predicted the measures would go through, with the revised structure of the executive likely to prove the only controversial change.
NATFHE has been forced to draw up the plans to combat falling membership and dwindling funds.
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