Astronimouse
@astronimouse.bsky.social
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A mouse from the old Cambridge Observatory. I love old books and everything astro-historical.
Am I looking forward to returning to work? Of course 'yes', but I'm sad the University made no offer to the union. Also, I know I will face backlogs in my work caused by the strike action.
about 21 hours ago
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If I'm a member of the Union, do I have to strike? Ultimately its the individuals choice to strike or not, the union cannot force members.
about 21 hours ago
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Do I have to be in the Union to take strike action? No you do not, but we strongly recommend you do join. Not just for the protection, but also for some say in how the dispute is carried out.
about 21 hours ago
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Another good question I've had: do non-strikers get any pay-rise or benefits won by the union? Non-strikers do receive all the same benefits that striking workers achieve.
about 21 hours ago
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Do you do any work when you are on strike? I really have been asked this, of course I should say 'no', but for me, a level of professional reading and email-checking does go on.
about 21 hours ago
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Today completes the longest period of strike action I have taken (ten days) in support of
@unite0775m.bsky.social
and the Cambridge Weighting. Here are some more of the questions I've been asked.
about 22 hours ago
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In a strike, is it compulsory for union members to do picket duty? No - you do not have to do picket duty, its voluntary, but it shows support for the strike and you get to talk to your colleagues.
about 23 hours ago
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Do you get paid whilst you are on strike? Yes I get paid, but the University deducts pay for the days I'm on strike. I can also claim strike pay off the Union.
about 23 hours ago
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If you don't like it, why don't you get another job? I love my job, I don't want another, I just want the pay to match the cost of living. Sub-inflation pay rises, year after year is just not acceptable.
about 23 hours ago
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Today completes the longest period of strike action I have taken (ten days) in support of
@unite0775m.bsky.social
and the Cambridge Weighting. I have been surprised at some of the questions I've been asked.
about 23 hours ago
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reposted by
Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
1 day ago
Today, Friday is the last of our announced strike days. We need to re-ballot our members to continue. However, we continue to campaign for a Cambridge Weighting and to support our members.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
1 day ago
Action today (Friday) Pickets will run from 8:30 am until 11:30 am. At 11:30 am, all pickets will converge at the Downing Site. We will have chants, slogans, and great music. Bring your instruments to up the vibe. From 12:30 pm, after the picket, all are invited to a pizza lunch at Downing Church.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
2 days ago
Year on year our wages have failed to keep up with inflation. Perhaps that's one reason our strike at the University of Cambridge continues until the end of this week!
add a skeleton here at some point
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
3 days ago
Support staff, librarians, museum workers and others are on strike until the end of this week at the University of Cambridge. They are seeking a 'Cambridge Weighting' to compensate for working in one the UK's most expensive cities.
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There was some good coverage of the 'Cambridge Weighting' question on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire this morning. The Unite rep was particularly good - it is about fairness as well as economics. Basically what kind of society do we want.
3 days ago
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
4 days ago
Support staff, librarians, museum workers and others are on strike this week at the University of Cambridge. They are seeking a 'Cambridge Weighting' to compensate for working in one the UK's most expensive cities.
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Astronimouse
Research Professional News
8 days ago
Historians slam ‘marketisation and neglect’ of higher education. Royal Historical Society issues stinging rebuke of English model amid escalating cuts.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-c...
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Astronimouse
Sharon Graham
8 days ago
Here today with our members at Cambridge University, fighting for their pay! ✊🏼
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Astronimouse
21 Group
8 days ago
Passing through Cambridge, I passed by the Fitzwilliam Museum An impressive picket line — and a powerful, fiery speech from the Unite General Secretary I stayed to listen, and applauded
www.unitetheunion.org/news-events/...
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Astronimouse
Picket line at the University of Cambridge, Downing Site this morning. Support staff are on strike, asking for a Cambridge Weighting.
8 days ago
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Picket line at the University of Cambridge, Downing Site this morning. Support staff are on strike, asking for a Cambridge Weighting.
8 days ago
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
8 days ago
This morning in Cambridge. Support a Cambridge Weighting for university workers!
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
9 days ago
University of Cambridge support staff: Rally tomorrow 10am outside Fitzwilliam Museum - support our strike for Cambridge Weighting!
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
10 days ago
Pickets and supporters outside Cambridge University Library today. Support staff are striking for a Cambridge Weighting to recognize the high costs of living and working in Cambridge.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
11 days ago
Effectively University of Cambridge support staff are now on strike until next month. We don't want to strike, but we feel we are not being listened to. We just can't take year after year of sub-inflation pay whilst working in one of Britain's most expensive cities.
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Astronimouse
21 Group
11 days ago
Disgrace even by standards of Cardiff University It's fundamental violation of trust: the Salisbury Collection is a national possession of rare books, not an institutional asset to be discarded at whim The new Welsh Govt must intervene at Cardiff
nation.cymru/news/fears-f...
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Fears for thousands of rare books as Cardiff University plans 'proof of concept' experiment
Martin Shipton Staff and students at Cardiff University have launched a petition aimed at stopping changes to the Arts and Social Sciences Library they fear could lead to the loss of thousands of rare...
https://nation.cymru/news/fears-for-thousands-of-rare-books-as-cardiff-university-plans-proof-of-concept-experiment/
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Astronimouse
Sharon Graham
12 days ago
The NHS is running on empty and in danger of a complete breakdown - the cuts are so serious that patient safety is being risked. Cuts must be reversed and workers supported to ensure the NHS provides all the services our communities deserve.
morningstaronline.co.uk/article/near...
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Nearly two-thirds of NHS organisations expect to cut services this year
LABOUR has been urged to invest in the national health service after a survey found that 64 per cent of NHS organisations expect to cut services this year.More than half — 57 per cent — said that they expected to reduce clinical staff this year, a NHS Alliance poll published today has revealed.Sir Ciaran Devane, chief executive of the membership body formed from the merger of NHS Providers and the NHS Confederation, claimed that the health service was starting to turn a corner after a long period of decline.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/nearly-two-thirds-nhs-organisations-expect-cut-services-year
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
12 days ago
Strike days at University of Cambridge are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. New members joining. More picket lines.
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Astronimouse
21 Group
15 days ago
Cuts have already devastated arts, humanities & social sciences in universities The fire is spreading & “blue skies” science is next This isn’t a tired “humanities vs sciences” battle We must all stand together or the flames will consume us all
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/physics...
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Physics cuts threaten UK’s science leadership role, says Nobelist
Didier Queloz urges UK funding bodies to rethink funding changes, with scientists also fearing Nottingham’s ‘first-rate’ department is under threat
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/physics-cuts-threaten-uks-science-leadership-role-says-nobelist
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
15 days ago
Support staff at Cambridge University striking today for a Cambridge Weighting. This was the scene at Chemistry.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
15 days ago
Cambridge University support staff - on strike today - many departments, libraries and museums affected.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
16 days ago
University workers in Cambridge are on strike today. Demands are a Cambridge weighting to help with living costs.
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Too often, outsourcing comes at the expense of our services and the workers who keep them going. If you want public services to work for people, not just profit, sign the Record of Support for Labour’s insourcing pledge.
www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/of...
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Official Record of Support: Back the Biggest Wave of Insourcing in a Generation
Outsourcing companies frequently compete to win public contracts by reducing costs: it's a race to the bottom on the pay, terms, and conditions for their workers. This has a knock-on effect for servic...
https://www.megaphone.org.uk/petitions/official-record-of-support?source=bluesky&utm_source=bluesky&share=0fa19dd6-dcf2-4bc9-9e66-98f3076d761f
16 days ago
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Astronimouse
Sharon Graham
17 days ago
Oxford University has introduced a local pay supplement to ensure workers can afford to live; Cambridge needs to as well.
@unitetheunion.bsky.social
will not back down until that happens.
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University of Cambridge staff to 'escalate' strike action
Tomorrow is the first of 10 more days of action scheduled to take place this month, says a union.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmpwxjrrnzo
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Astronimouse
LNR
17 days ago
Solidarity with
@unite0775m.bsky.social
- on strike again today and 10 days this month over inadequate pay offers.
@cambridgeucu.bsky.social
members passed a motion of support recently, and I popped over to the picketline outside Engineering to say hello this morning.
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
17 days ago
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
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University of Cambridge staff to 'escalate' strike action
Tomorrow is the first of 10 more days of action scheduled to take place this month, says a union.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmpwxjrrnzo
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Astronimouse
The Cromwell Museum
17 days ago
Next Tuesday evening, 19 May, join us for a walk around 17th century St Ives, to find out more about life in the town in the 1600s including a great fire, markets, puritans and of course Cromwell. More details and bookings at:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cromwells-...
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Astronimouse
University of Hertfordshire UCU
18 days ago
Petition to save the Humanities at the University of Hertfordshire:
c.org/9JLppW5tMS
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Sign the Petition
Save the Humanities at the University of Hertfordshire
https://c.org/9JLppW5tMS
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
18 days ago
Support staff at Cambridge University start three more days of strike action tomorrow
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Astronimouse
Milton Keynes Astronomical Society
21 days ago
Rectory Cottages is a stunning venue for our club to meet constructed around 1475 it's the oldest building in the area. A fitting venue for our Astro awards. Member Alan receiving his award last Friday from The Chair of MKAS.
www.facebook.com/MKastronomical
www.mkas.org.uk
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
22 days ago
More strike dates for May at Cambridge University
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Astronimouse
Giorgia Busso
23 days ago
The beans have been spilled 🫘Gaia DR4 date is released! 2 December 2026, mark the date for another overwhelmingly huge release
www.cosmos.esa.int/web/gaia/dat...
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Astronimouse
Unite the union
24 days ago
Know your rights: ⏰ Paid properly & on time ✍️ A written statement of employment 🏖️ Paid holiday, sick & parental leave 🖐️ Protection against bullying & discrimination ✊ Free to join a union… 🔴 Know your rights: Facts & Figures p68
www.unitetheunion.org/fandf
🔴 Join Unite
join.unitetheunion.org
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Astronimouse
Mary Burgess
24 days ago
We've got the second of our local history lectures on Friday, with Tony Kirby talking about Transport in Cambridgeshire at 2pm on the third floor of Cambridge Central Library in the Everyspace area. Find out more and book a ticket on Eventbrite at
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transport-...
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Transport in Cambridgeshire Talk
Hear about the history of different types of transport in Cambs
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/transport-in-cambridgeshire-talk-tickets-1987520335827
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Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
27 days ago
Part of our rally on Friday. Speakers included supporters from UCU -academics union, NEU -teachers union, Unite Cambridge Engineering, Unite ARU, Cambridge Marxists, Your Party Councillor, regional and national Unite officers.
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Astronimouse
21 Group
27 days ago
Six Medical Research Council units at Cambridge University face closure or restructuring There's growing concern that University may not be meeting statutory duties or its own Organisational Change policy Some staff are resorting to legal resolution
researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-r...
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Union staff at Cambridge MRC research units consider action - Research Professional News
Medical Research Council under renewed criticism for putting university in “awful position” as redundancies loom
https://researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-research-councils-2026-1-union-staff-at-cambridge-mrc-research-units-consider-action/
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Astronimouse
RMT Union
29 days ago
May Day Isn’t a Celebration. It’s a Reminder. Weekends weren’t given to you. Sick pay wasn’t given to you. Safety laws weren’t given to you. They were fought for, and they can be taken away.
#JoinAUnion
Protect what workers built. International Workers' Day
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Astronimouse
It looks like this strike is to become much more serious. A further TEN DAYS of strikes in May. The union are reporting strong support and many new members joining. University museums and many of the libraries have been closed. Anger at below inflation rises for year on year has built up.
29 days ago
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It looks like this strike is to become much more serious. A further TEN DAYS of strikes in May. The union are reporting strong support and many new members joining. University museums and many of the libraries have been closed. Anger at below inflation rises for year on year has built up.
29 days ago
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reposted by
Astronimouse
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
about 1 month ago
Reminder: we are back on strike tomorrow!
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