Here is Plashing Vole Now On Bluesky - Chair of Wolverhampton UCU - explaining why he is on strike today. #ucuRISING #EnoughIsEnough #BudgetDayStrike

@UCU members: still want to be consulted on the employers' proposals on pay and conditions, pensions like 67% of UCU’s 36k members? If so, please sign this open letter calling for HEC to consider consultation on UCEA’s and UUK’s offers #ucuRISING: tinyurl.com/yc5ykydw

I’m doing my best to reply to members and branches who have contacted national (HEC) reps since Friday If I haven’t been able to reply to yours, I’m sorry. My capacity isn’t what I’d hope atm, but this explains things ucucommons.org/2023/03/20/mov… calmly and clearly UCU #ucuRISING

@SarCampbel Hi Sarah I read it, and I understand the arguments and the concern. What I don't see is sympathy for strikers struggling because of the sacrifice they are making by joining the picket line, and any self reflection of the optics of how this was likely to play out.

Adding my explanation ucucommons.org/2023/03/20/mov… We wrote this as plainly as possible - UCU structures and challenges are complex but far from impenetrable, just usually out of view of most members Members are our collective power, respecting expressed their views is fundamental

I voted to put the decision to members, and will continue to faithfully represent UCU membership on HEC No amount of hand-wringing absolves those who voted against member views. - evidenced by the emails continuing to pour in from members who feel betrayed by that decision

A message to students:   We are striking for you  We are voting YES for you  Your support has been incredible  #ucuRISING

all the alpacas are on precarious contracts and their real terms pay has been cut by 25% since 2009

In another packed branch meeting, members overwhelmingly voted to take local strike action in response to management confirming they will deduct 26 days for the 6 days of strike in February. #ucuRISING

PLEASE SIGN 🐙 The world’s 1st octopus farm would cram a MILLION of these smart and sensitive creatures into tiny tanks before painfully freezing them to death – but a massive public outcry can help stop it. Sign and share now! #BanOctopusFarming fb.avaaz.org/campaign/en/ba…

The reballot has closed and we have given it everything Next week we find out if it was enough Join us at 3PM on Monday for a special UCU LIVE with general secretary Jo Grady Set your reminder: youtube.com/watch?v=2v5xtN… #ucuRISING

'We know the money is there to pay staff fairly' - Maxine Looby UCU Immediate Past President feweek.co.uk/we-know-how-to…

Not every announcement is for YOU. No one is compelling you to attend a livestream event. (If you attend mainly to diss the presenter + format used, maybe, DON'T? 🤷‍♀️) There will be shorter form communication (after, during,before) that may better suit your needs + preferences.

This is a PSA ahead of the live ballot result for UCU. I'll be in student appointments because my role supports students all year, so unless I'm on annual leave or the Uni is closed, every day likely has student appointments. Plus: read this please ucucommons.org/2023/04/03/the…

Pensions: Ballot papers dispatched 51,238 Ballot papers returned 29,924 A turnout of  58.40% #ucuRISING

Due credit to the GS for being an early proponent of aggregated ballots. Aggregation has higher upside (all can go out) but higher downside (none can go out). UCU members have shown that we can get that upside comfortably and repeatedly.