The Friday email: 17 April 2020

Update on higher education disputes

UCU general secretary Jo Grady wrote to HE members this week with an update on the higher education disputes regarding pay and equality and the USS pension scheme. UCU negotiators have continued to talk to employers since our strike action ended, to press for agreement on the issues behind the disputes. See here for the full update.

Further education: close down the exam factory

In this article for Tes, UCU further education vice-chair, Sean Vernell argues that when this crisis is over we should not return to a system that has failed our young people.

Coronavirus emergency support for UCU members

We've provided a dedicated web area with support for staff in further, higher, prison and adult education during the current pandemic crisis. This includes advice on keeping safe and maintaining your wellbeing, protecting precarious workers, support for international staff and all the latest guidance for tertiary education workers.

Coronavirus impact on protected characteristics

An inquiry has been launched into the impact the Coronavirus Act 2020 could have on those with a protected characteristics such as disabled people and their carers and you can send written submissions here.