Thread by @zenscara

30 min suspension of #UCU18 is up. National Head of Democratic Services (staff member) has come back (not elected President) to tell us staff not willing to come back in yet: we've been told Congress cannot continue. Bedlam now as ppl work out if absent chair can be challenged >>

Being argued rules allow for #UCU2018 Congress2continue in these circs but mics are off. Impossible to hear properly. Also being proposed can't have proper Congress now, so could have a discussion about what's going on instead. Counterargument "Go Congress or go home" 🤦🏻‍♀️

Staff working at venue have confirmed mics can't be turned on as Unite walkout means the ppl they've been working with aren't wiling to return. Delegates attempting human mic. Discussing continuing #UCU2018 Congress vs discussion way fwd noting democratic issue + quorum (150)

Decided among those remaining (show hands): #UCU2018 Congress can't continue in these circs as wd be undemocratic (some ppl have left, access issues, etc) so non-Congress discussion continuing (the status of this meeting would be 'large gathering of Congress delegates' I think)

Delegate whose name I missed making point that discussion now needs to happen in branches+regions about this. Concerns being expressed over what will be communicated to wider membership (via email lists only accessible by hq etc) #UCU2018

I have literally never seen anything like this. To confirm: #UCU2018 Congress over for now but motion earlier was passed for *Recall Congress* to continue any biz lost to delay. But we don't know yet when. Discussion now about whether can produce a statement from those still here

.@TimmoGoodall frm @leedsucu just stressed how important it is to counter any idea ppl still here/disgusted by this are of 'one group or faction'. He (+I) are not in a faction, he (+I) = disgusted by what has happened. We u/s the rules should allow 4 Congress to continue #UCU2018

We at @leedsucu were already planning an EGM prior to the HESC on #USS. That EGM agenda has just grown CONSIDERABLY. Our delegates will all report back on the happenings + discuss with members locally. Brief timing related email coming later #UCU2018

Delegate from 1 of the "contentious motion" branches (didn't catch which) has just reported back their delegation was told the motion (if had been passed) wouldn't compel a resignation in rule, the distinction = around political tenability had it been passed (think m10) #UCU2018

Delegates still present discussing wording of potential statement + possible amendment(s) #UCU2018

Remaining delegates agreed proposal to state and reaffirm our appreciation of the work the UCU staff do #UCU2018

Discussion now after report back from delegates who went to meet Unite reps (for UCU staff) who report feeling would be health and safety issue for them to come back into #UCU2018 - there has been a bit of raised voices etc so seems to be agreement that should be apologised for

Revised statement being read - sorry not got speedy enough fingers to live tweet wording #UCU2018

Delegate now stating vehemently: this is not a coup, not about how ppl would have voted on m10/11 but is about being able to actually debate motions that were ordered onto the agenda in rule by CBC + Congress voted to hear several times #ucu2018

#Scenes #UCU2018 (didnt capture evth as my phone is crap)

Statement signed by remaining delegates (restating for emphasis: *not* all from a particular faction / party / grouping / etc) available here:

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via new account @ourucu #ourUCU

Once again, with feeling: I have never seen anything like this. But please use this opportunity to engage with the positive stuff that was voted through re the *demonstrably very necessary* democracy review + the recall Congress that is TBA. #UCU2018 #ourucu (new hashtag)

I think I am in actual shock, but we must remember that we - members together - are the union. There has been really positive stuff at #UCU2018 + positive things can&should (+need) come from these happenings. #ourUCU

Here's statement signed by ppl in the screenshotted lists = majority of those who were able +/or chose to stay for discussion after #UCU2018 Congress declared closed by Head Democratic Services:

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. Unsure if open4further dels who left to sign @ourucu

Thread somehow looked broken - rest from here:

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please unroll this thread on #UCU2018