Maxine Looby
@mybool.bsky.social
📤 183
📥 249
📝 30
Educator | Trade Union Activist | Negotiator | Join UCU today!
https://www.ucu.org.uk/join
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
17 days ago
Up to half of FE lecturers walk away within three years. Not because they stopped caring but because the workload broke them. Chronic overwork. Escalating stress. No support. This is a workforce crisis.
loading . . .
0
12
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Suzi Toole
19 days ago
New section of the UCU website dedicated to the Workload's not working campaign. Keep up to date with the campaign as it progresses and is rolled out more widely. This week, members in the first cohort of training are taking place in a week of action at their branches
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1453...
loading . . .
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14532/FE-workloads-are-not-working
0
9
10
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
19 days ago
How much of your week is spent actually teaching? Turns out it’s the smallest part of the job for our further education members. The rest? Admin. Paperwork. Chasing. Reporting and everything in between. Teaching is what they trained for. It’s what students need. Workload’s not working.
loading . . .
2
11
4
www.linkedin.com/posts/associ...
loading . . .
Critical professionalism: why we all need the courage to question | Association of Colleges
What happens when education becomes more about compliance than conscience? In this weeks Think Further article, Dr Martin Hoskin explores how performativity, metrics, and accountability can risk over...
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/association-of-colleges_education-leadership-teaching-activity-7458163596343115776-ZFui?utm_source=share
about 2 months ago
0
2
0
reposted by
Maxine Looby
FE Week
about 2 months ago
📢 Teaching staff at Windsor Forest Colleges Group will walk out tomorrow for the third time this year over a 'derisory' low pay rise offer of 1.7 per cent
https://feweek.co.uk/windsor-college-staff-storm-out-over-pay-again/
loading . . .
Windsor college staff storm out over pay – again
Teachers will strike tomorrow across the Windsor Forest Colleges Group
https://feweek.co.uk/windsor-college-staff-storm-out-over-pay-again/
0
1
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
about 2 months ago
Further education is a class issue. FE colleges are lifelines for working-class communities, driving opportunity, skills and local growth. But staff are doing more for less. Workloads rising. Pay falling behind. If the government is serious about growth they need to properly fund FE.
loading . . .
0
8
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
3 months ago
in higher education, warning that failure to act risks “irreparable damage” to the sector. Universities up and down the country are looking to downgrade staff pension benefits. Read
@drjogrady.bsky.social
's letter to the Education Secretary and Skills Minister 👇
0
22
13
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Another day out and proud on the picket lines today at Northumbria University. Staff are fighting to defend the Teachers’ Pension Scheme and stop management’s attempt to force them out through pay freezes. This is about dignity, security and refusing to let pensions be stripped away.
0
26
17
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Show your support for staff out on the pickets again today at the University of Essex. Over 400 jobs. Southend Campus on the chopping block. This is a wrecking plan for education, for jobs and the city. Rally to save Southend Campus: Sunday 8 March, 1pm, Pier Hill → Broadway. Join us.
loading . . .
0
11
6
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Reform mayor of Lincolnshire has voted to slash ESOL. A clear signal of the damage Reform intends to inflict on our communities. Demanding migrants speak English then cutting the very provision that makes that possible.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1441...
loading . . .
Reform cuts ESOL funding as it doesn't help "native Lincolnshire people"
Responding to a report that Reform mayor of Lincolnshire Andrea Jenkyns is pushing ahead with plans to scrap all funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) from 2027, UCU attacked the ...
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14415/Reform-cuts-ESOL-funding-as-it-doesnt-help-native-Lincolnshire-people
0
18
17
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
From today, staff at Durham University begin working to rule. No more covering for the hundreds of jobs that have been cut. Staff will work strictly to contracted hours and withdraw goodwill. Universities cannot operate on unpaid labour.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1441...
loading . . .
Durham University staff begin industrial action this week
Staff at Durham University will begin working to rule tomorrow.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14419/Durham-University-staff-begin-industrial-action-this-week
1
23
9
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Suzi Toole
4 months ago
Hustings recordings for the VP (FE) and VP (HE) elections are up and can be viewed here
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1419...
If you haven't posted your ballot yet give these a watch (grab a brew, they're 15mins each) and hopefully it helps you back a candidate.
loading . . .
UCU UK elections 2025-26
UCU has a national executive committee, elected by the union's members. Elections take place annually.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14191/UCU-UK-elections-2025-26
0
3
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Suzi Toole
4 months ago
Check out these vids from Mark laying out why he deserves your vote for VP from the HE sector.
add a skeleton here at some point
0
4
3
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Suzi Toole
4 months ago
Take a moment to listen to the realities of teaching in Prison Ed from the wonderful Pauline Rattery. I heard many stories yesterday at the Prison Ed AGM. These amazing educators do an incredible job under the most challenging circumstances.
youtu.be/t2WsiZCUhqM?...
loading . . .
The Real Experience of Teaching in Prisons | Prison Education | University and College Union
YouTube video by UCU - University and College Union
https://youtu.be/t2WsiZCUhqM?si=jrxed39ZvqJytjjX
0
2
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Suzi Toole
4 months ago
Proud to chair the UCU Prison Education AGM today. They have faced 25% funding cuts, mass redundancies, broken profiling systems and shocking failures of workplace health & safety- yet the determination in the room to rebuild, organise and fight for members was absolutely inspiring ✊
#UCU
#PrisonEd
1
7
4
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Ruth Holliday
4 months ago
Reposting this as people probs have their ballot papers now!!
add a skeleton here at some point
1
3
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Mark Pendleton
4 months ago
Last night I caught up with UCU’s prison educators, exceptional members doing amazing work to change lives. They deserve safety on the job, job security, decent pay and respect. I’m proud to have their support, and all of us should back their campaign for change:
www.ucu.org.uk/UnlockingFut...
2
10
6
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Dundee UCU
4 months ago
Join the University and Colleges Union branch at the University of Dundee today. Our strike action and lobbying was a major factor in securing additional funding for the University. We consistently protect our members and ask for redundancies to be ruled out. Join now -
www.ucu.org.uk/join
loading . . .
Join UCU
Why join UCU? Over 120,000 of your colleagues have chosen to belong to UCU - the largest union and most effective voice for people like you working in post-school education.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/join
0
8
8
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Please show your support to colleagues at Aberdeen facing job losses. We will fight this ✊
add a skeleton here at some point
0
15
5
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Staff at Truro and Penwith College will strike on Monday 23 February. Management imposed a 2% pay award, half the level recommended by the AoC - thats a real-terms pay cut. Fair pay. Manageable workloads. Proper time for students.
loading . . .
Truro & Penwith College staff to strike over low pay & high workloads
Staff at Truro and Penwith College will strike on Monday 23 February in an escalating dispute over low pay and poor working conditions
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14404/Truro--Penwith-College-staff-to-strike-over-low-pay--high-workloads
0
11
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Show your support to our amazing colleagues taking action at Northumbria today!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
17
6
reposted by
Maxine Looby
4 months ago
Solidarity with London Met UCU
0
5
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
4 months ago
Thursday university of Essex staff will be taking to the picket lines to say no to cuts, no to job losses and no to the closure of the Southend campus.
@jeremycorbyn.bsky.social
stands with staff, students and
@unison.org.uk
as we fight together.
loading . . .
1
16
9
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Staff ,supporters and students gathered outside Firth Court today in solidarity with colleagues locked out and facing withheld pay after lawful strike action at @sheffielducu Punishment is not negotiation. ✊
1
43
33
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
📢 Staff on casualised contracts: have your say UCU’s annual meeting takes place Sat 28 Feb (hybrid) at UCU HQ & on Zoom. Share your voice and shape how we fight insecurity at work Register by 17 Feb
ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual...
loading . . .
Annual Meeting of Staff on Casualised Contracts 26
Saturday, 28 February 2026
https://ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual-meeting-of-staff-on-casualised-contracts-26/
0
10
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Forcing staff out of their pension scheme and threatening dismissal if they object is shameful. It’s fire & rehire by another name. Show your support for staff at Southampton Solent University striking on 9 & 17 February to protect retirement security.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1439...
loading . . .
Southampton Solent strike begins next week in fight over fire & rehire pension attack
Staff at Southampton Solent University will take two days of strike action beginning next week after management forced staff out of their preferred pension scheme, and threatened to sack all those who...
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14396/Southampton-Solent-strike-begins-next-week-in-fight-over-fire--rehire-pension-attack
0
35
16
reposted by
Maxine Looby
Hetan Shah
5 months ago
We are supporting this conference on Charles Ignatius Sancho, the late-18thC Black British polymath. A recent upsurge in scholarly discoveries makes it timely to bring together international scholars and practitioners for the first time in over 25 years!
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/briti...
loading . . .
Charles Ignatius Sancho: a Black British man of letters and his world
Charles Ignatius Sancho, late-18th-century Black British polymath, is a foundational figure in Black British history; a recent upsurge in scholarly discoveries of his life has occurred in parallel wit...
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/events/british-academy-conferences/charles-ignatius-sancho-black-british-man-letters-world/
2
105
45
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
St Helens, Knowsley and Liverpool are out on the picket lines this morning. FE staff have faced a 40% real-terms pay cut and are paid around £9,000 less for doing the same job. That’s not fair and it’s not sustainable. Show your support ✊
1
12
9
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
FE transforms lives. From FE student at Burnley College to Shadow Chancellor. John McDonnell MP: “We will be with you at every rally, every dispute and every picket.” Thank you for your ongoing solidarity.
loading . . .
1
10
5
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Rationing Tesco Value coffee is not a lifestyle choice it’s the result of poverty pay. This cannot be the reality for the people educating the next generation. “Our demands are not only fair they are essential for this country.”
@drjogrady.bsky.social
loading . . .
0
10
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
This morning at Working Men’s College, FE staff are standing together. FE teachers are demanding more, fair pay, fair workloads, and respect for the vital work they do. ✊ Stand with FE staff
loading . . .
0
13
4
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
We love to see it! Solidarity to all our colleagues striking today ✊
add a skeleton here at some point
0
16
5
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
🚩 We’re out in force and it’s working. College staff are on strike across England today, and college leaders can and are coming to the table. 🔁 Repost. Get down there. Show your support. Let’s show them the strength of solidarity. ✊
#FEstrikes
#NewDealForFE
0
5
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
We love to see it! We got this!
add a skeleton here at some point
0
10
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Students are being penalised for getting an education.”
@drjogrady.bsky.social
on
@skynewsrss.bsky.social
this morning, on the mis-selling scandal in student loans.
loading . . .
0
10
4
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
More pay for FE. Less work for FE. 📣 Bournemouth & Poole College staff out in force today. Further education keeps communities going but staff are stretched, underpaid and undervalued. This is what solidarity looks like. ✊ College leaders, come to the table.
loading . . .
0
6
2
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Why are FE teachers on strike? As Ian Dale pointed out on LBC, FE lecturers’ starting pay is barely above minimum wage. Minimum wage ≈ £26,400. FE starting pay in England? Not £30k. That’s why staff are striking across England today.
loading . . .
0
20
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
🚨 FE strike action 🚨 Staff at 25 colleges strike 14-16 Jan over pay and conditions. 📍 National rally: Emmanual Centre, Westminster, Fri 16 Jan, 12pm UCU is demanding a New Deal for FE , pay parity and national bargaining.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1430...
loading . . .
Staff at 25 English college employers to strike for better pay and working conditions
Staff at 25 colleges across England will begin three days of strike action next week after college bosses refused to make fair offers over pay and working conditions, the University and College Union ...
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14301/Staff-at-25-English-college-employers-to-strike-for-better-pay-and-working-conditions
0
16
10
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Please show your support and solidarity to all FE teachers strking this week. FE Teachers deserve better.
add a skeleton here at some point
0
25
13
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
5 months ago
Myerscough College staff have won, proof that employers can settle when they engage. Now 25 colleges remain in dispute, and staff will strike this week (14–16 Jan) for fair pay and conditions. College leaders must come back to the table.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1430...
loading . . .
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14304/Strikes-off-at-Myerscough-College-as-staff-win-pay-rise-and-im…
0
10
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
7 months ago
🚨NEW: England wide strike action to hit 33 colleges Our members will down tools for 3 days in January in a fight for pay unless we get decent offers. Time for management to start negotiating!
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...
#NewDealForFE
loading . . .
England wide strike action to hit 33 colleges in January over fight for fair pay
Staff at 33 colleges across England are set to down tools for three days in January over low pay and poor working conditions.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14274/England-wide-strike-action-to-hit-33-colleges-in-January-over-fight-for-fair-pay
0
11
5
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
6 months ago
✊ Yesterday UCU members stood at Southampton Solent as the Board discussed a fire-and-rehire proposal that would weaken pensions. UCU is clear: no to fire and rehire.
#SouthamptonSolent
#UCU
0
11
9
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
7 months ago
265 more redundancies on the table. 40 already gone. Over 300 people facing chaos caused by management’s decisions. Show your support, send solidarity, share their stories, and back the strike. ✊
loading . . .
0
13
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
7 months ago
🚨IT'S A WIN: 7% pay award at Runshaw College‼️ Well done to every member who voted to strike & forced management to make a decent offer✊ Time for other colleges to follow suit & pay up. If they refuse, strikes are set for the New Year❗️
#NewDealForFE
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1428...
loading . . .
Strikes off at Runshaw College as staff win 7% pay award
Staff at Runshaw College in Leyland have overwhelmingly voted to accept a pay offer of 7% and pull out of the England wide college strike action.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14280/Strikes-off-at-Runshaw-College-as-staff-win-7-pay-award
0
12
7
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
8 months ago
💪
#WeAreTheUniversity
add a skeleton here at some point
0
3
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
8 months ago
Such a great point from Suzi! Don’t assume colleagues have voted! Every conversation counts.
add a skeleton here at some point
0
4
1
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University of Nottingham UCU branch
8 months ago
The national ballot from
@ucu.org.uk
should be in your hands now. Be like
@rullsenberg.bsky.social
and make your voice heard! Let the union know how YOU want to push back on pay cuts and unnecessary redundancies.
#StopTheCuts
#SaveHE
1
5
5
reposted by
Maxine Looby
LopaLeach
9 months ago
Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cuts-eq...
loading . . .
Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU
Proposed job losses almost triple since March as unions prepare to vote on nationwide industrial action
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cuts-equivalent-15000-jobs-planned-uk-universities-ucu
0
10
21
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
8 months ago
🚨 Ballots arrive today for UCU FE members! 🚨 VOTE YES ✅ For better pay, conditions and national bargaining to ensure no colleges are left behind 💪
loading . . .
0
8
4
reposted by
Maxine Looby
University and College Union (UCU)
9 months ago
Huge win for staff today at Warrington and Vale Royal College! 💪 6.5% pay increase backdated to August 💪 Guaranteed pay increases of up to £1,000 a year 💪 Starting salary for all teachers £29,227 Read more 👇
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
loading . . .
Union pay and conditions victory at Warrington and Vale Royal College
The University and College Union today (Thursday 9 October) hailed improvements to staff pay and conditions at Warrington and Vale Royal College as a victory for its members.
https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14219/Union-pay-and-conditions-victory-at-Warrington-and-Vale-Royal-College
0
17
7
Load more
feeds!
log in