Whose union just went and smashed the ballot? Why, @ducu.bsky.social! Let's reclaim our time and fight for decent working conditions ✊🤗

Results are in regarding our local ballot. 63.3% of voters are prepared to take IA consisting of a strike action, and 75.6% are prepared to take ASOS. Return rate was 53.1%, comfortably clear of the Tory anti-trade union minimum.

"Taking responsibility" apparently means its someone else's fault.

Parts of University of Dundee’s action plan in response to the Gillies report are not being implemented. There are no available Court agendas for the last 8 Court meetings (5 under the new chair), and no approved minutes available for 7 of these meetings. Court is not transparent. Why?

Britons' right to protest is under threat like never before. If you value it, speak up now | Imran Khan

Post by Tuesday at the latest!!

Solidarity to all colleagues at Northumbria University!

Ahead of the 10 February Certification Officer hearing, I’ve written about why Ewan McGaughey and I took this route. This is a regulatory process, not a court case. Ewan and I will represent ourselves. UCU has hired a King’s Counsel. vickyblakeucu.uk/202... /1

Lol it’s obvious. The core role of universities is to save money for private companies by doing their employee training and product research for them. Simples.

The biggest upheaval in UK science policy since the 1980s is currently underway, with the creation of a much more direct & explicit link between UK government priorities & £9bn/ yr of R&D funded by the agency UKRI My attempt to explain & set in historical context softmachines.org?p=3252

It's #HeartUnions week! If you care about the climate, join a union. ❤️ www.cacctu.org.uk/heartunions

Sadly it seems like the university is simply running down the clock on opposition to the intended closure and (I suspect, very quick) demolition of the National Glass Centre in July. But, that's not a reason to not care or stop trying. 1/4 [More: savethengc.art.blog/]

Work‑related stress at UoB is not an abstract issue – between 2020 and 2024 there were over 17,000 days of stress‑related absence. Behind every data point is a colleague whose health has been put at risk. occupationalhealthas... #HSEStressBreach

The Governing Body of London Met University meets today to decide the fate of one fifth of the permanent teaching staff (120 jobs). The Governors could choose to say No to the VC's Plan. These cuts are expected to devastate a wide range of departments including art, architecture and business.

'The Durham branch of the University and College Union said on 9 February that 63 per cent of participants in a ballot had backed strike action in a row over working conditions and job security. Turnout in the vote was 54 per cent.' 1/3

Loving the fact that we've been told off for months for not collaborating enough in UK research, but are now threatened with being excluded from the collaborative Horizon pillar. Well, actually, not loving it at all.

Unite against TU Victimisation @Unitetheunion.bsky.social doesn't tolerate the victimisation of its reps by employers. Today our members in the North West are showing what solidarity looks like. It's time UCU ended the victimisation of Marie, our Health & Safety Officer. #Strike #HandsOffMarie

@georgeclarke.bsky.social UCU - 10 strike days begin this week at Northumbria University over pension "robbery" www.ucu.org.uk/article/14401

Nice quick write-up of our situation here.

Damage is being done to our University by management, with the livelihoods of precarious workers most at risk. This must stop. #anticas #UCU #StopStaffCuts www.heraldscotland.com/news/2582884...

It may be worth explaining a little more about what is happening at Southampton Solent. It's a story about a legal loophole and an employer seeking to exploit it to excuse itself from a basic principle - to maintain staff in the state-backed pension scheme that staff signed up to when they joined.

Useful background to the current debate about #studentloans, unpicking the #WilletsPlan. It includes an important reminder that university staff have been paying the cost with cuts in pay and jobs. @ucu.org.uk

Following an article by @novaramedia.com we have now shared part one of the timeline of Oxford Health's installation of Oxevision. The report outlines how the Trust invested millions in a technology its patients described as 'creepy', 'unsafe' and 'spying'

Trump's assistance to the Russian attack on Ukrainian power and heating last night was so egregious that I put together this short, free piece on it. He helped Putin kill Ukrainians. If the USA does not do something soon, the US should be seen as a Putin ally. open.substack.com/pub/phillips...

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...

It was great to have Michael Rosen attend our picket line at Great Ormond Street Hospital School on Monday where 4 NEU members have been suspended. ✊ Solidarity to all members at GOSH fighting bullying and unacceptable management practices. #SaveEducation

Solidarity to all @ucuessex.bsky.social this is sadly, another shocking attack on HE. We need a national strategy to defend a diverse and accessible HE.

“Closing Southend means losing homegrown social workers people who understand this community.” Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus. 🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend

LSE alumnus in the news

Remember, the state regulator "fined" U of Sussex almost £600,000 for attempting to protect the rights of trans people. Hopefully this shocking and shameful abuse of power will be overturned.

This is the promise that @universityofessex.bsky.social & government is betraying. Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...

The cruelty of making this decision the way that the did, without even the decency of telling people. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Pleased to see the jury make this decision. We need to have eyes wide open this is exactly why the Government wants to abolish juries. People protesting against a genocide are not the criminals here - it's the politicians who continue to provide cover. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Thinking of all my colleagues based in Leicester, and of those who knew and loved the student who has died. Have only just seen this on the academic skyline so sharing for those with colleagues at De Montfort who might also not yet have heeard.

A manager for the Immigrant Defense Network told MPR News that back in November, 2,500 people were trained as constitutional observers. Now, the total is nearly 30,000 trained observers in 77 of Minnesota's 87 counties.

I'm not sure people appreciate quite what a blow to Starmer's government the acquittal of the Palestine Action protestors is. It both blows apart the whole proscription idea and demonstrates how out of touch they are. This was a jury. Juries represent the public.

News breaking of Filton24 acquittals. The real (war) criminals are still at large.

As a result of our own massive investments in Dubai and London campuses (I'm no smart academic person but I'm pretty sure Dubai and London already have universities), we conducted a VONC in our leadership. They just shrugged. As did the Board.

Not just a university restructure but a coastal town losing its future. Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS). Be there.

Surely, SURELY, that's malpractice and whatever the outcome of the trial should lead to a complete overhaul of the regulatory system of #UKHE? Add it to the pile that Parliament already has, and please, can the all-party group (e.g.: @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social?) do something? please?

Need advice about workload, sickness, performance management, or bullying/harassment? Birmingham UCU has trained caseworkers who can support you. Start by checking the ‘getting help’ section on our website:

Together we are stronger. Join the Union join.ucu.org.uk

A lot of people outside of Higher Education have very little idea of how physically and mentally demanding lecturing can be...and that's when all the other demands of the job are ignored. UK universities need more full time permanent staff.

Honestly completely irresponsible how press & policy makers rely on one man so obviously ideologically committed to a failed policy he drove through when he was special advisor to Willets. He's spent his career lashing out about that, and press & policy makers have enabled him.

Keep those donations coming in to Sheffield UCU! Invite speakers to your branch meeting or regional committee meeting. Get the word out. Build the solidarity. @sheffielducu.bsky.social

Green shoots. Assembling for the @pscupdates.bsky.social demo in Russell Sq, Central London, today.

I am pleased to report my branch, UCL UCU, voted for our motion in solidarity with Sheffield UCU. We gave £5K to the branch now + pledged £5K to the branch for the next strike (on top of £5K we gave in December). Thanks to @rorfitelli.bsky.social for speaking! ucl-ucu.org.uk/meetings/gen...