Dispatches from the picket lines, Tuesday 15 February

Today was the second day of the USS industrial action. 15 February has always been a special day in the calendar--as has been pointed out on social media, the average UK vice-chancellor will have earned more by the end of today than the average UK university staff will in an entire year. A handful of vice-chancellors will earn more money in one single week than a casualised teacher/researcher will in one year.  While conversations are informally taking place between UCU and Universities UK (UUK), the senior managers of the sector will need to show far more leadership and moral fibre to resolve the USS dispute.

I visited picket lines today at the University of Bradford, while members of the presidential team were in Newcastle, Dundee, and Reading. We are continuing to explain UCU's USS proposals to our members, students, as well as the general public. Reports from UCU's regional officials and photos from branches across the UK show that everyone continues to be in excellent spirits, despite the dreadful weather. Well done to all of you. We have continued to receive enormous support from students, many of whom are creatively voicing their concerns about university staff's working conditions to vice-chancellors. We also thank the NUS, CWU, Unite the Union, and a good number of MPs, MSPs, MLAs, MSs and local councillors for their messages of deep solidarity. 

Some employers are behaving appallingly during this round of industrial action--for instance, by threatening 100% deductions for action short of a strike (ASOS). At the beginning of the month, UCU has published legal advice and guidance on 100% or partial ASOS deductions (page requires UCU membership number to log in), and last Friday I wrote to members regarding UCU's national response. UCU members in those branches are fighting back and organising against these punitive deductions, and they will need your help. Do consider making a donation to the UCU fighting fund, especially if you are in a non-striking institution.

Solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary