The Friday email: 5 July 2024

UK general election 2024

The UK general election took place last week and you can read UCU's statement regarding Labour's victory here.

In line with UCU policy, UCU is not affiliated to, and makes no donations to, any political party. UCU will continue to work with all parties across the UK to protect and improve the working conditions of UCU members in post-16 education.

Reclaim Higher Education updates

The employers' representatives, Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), sent the five unions (UCU, Unite, UNISON, GMB and EIS) its 'full and final offer for the 2024-25 New JNCHES pay round' on Wednesday 3 July.

A branch delegate meeting to feed back members' views took place on Wednesday 3 July, ahead of a meeting of the UCU higher education committee (HEC) on Friday 5 July where the offer was considered. It is envisaged that the five unions will release statements on Tuesday 9 July.

Please support the following university branches where UCU members are continuing to defend jobs and education:

• University of Central Lancashire: UCLan UCU members are currently voting in an industrial action ballot in a dispute with management over job cuts; the ballot will close on 15 July 
• Goldsmiths, University of London: last month UCU announced a global academic boycott of Goldsmiths over management's plans to cut one in six academic jobs. Goldsmiths members are already undertaking a marking boycott and have been striking in a dispute over management's attempt to sack these staff
• Middlesex University has announced that a further 181 people are at risk of being made redundant. This follows the reduction of teaching disciplines last November where 23 posts were at risk
• University of Portsmouth: in its ongoing campaign to defend jobs and education at the university, Portsmouth UCU launched an online petition, which has already received over 1,000 signatures, asking for the withdrawal of compulsory redundancies. Please show your support by signing the petition here
• York St John University: YSJ UCU members are currently voting in an industrial action ballot in a dispute with management over job cuts; the ballot will close on 22 July.

Prison education: unlocking futures

Prison education is in crisis: the funding model does not work and there are significant staff recruitment and retention problems. Prison educators change lives and deserve better. That is why UCU is developing a campaign urging significant reforms. We want to see a prison education service run on a not-for-profit basis, the implementation of Joint Unions in Prisons Alliance safety recommendations, and the application of Fair New Deal for pensions. For further information on the campaign, or to get involved, please contact UCU national organiser Ronnie Kershaw.

Ceasefire NOW!

UCU joins with many others in Palestine, the UK, and beyond to reiterate the demands for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, unrestricted access to humanitarian aid, and the lifting of the siege of Gaza. 

We are very concerned by the sharp rise in antisemitism and Islamophobia across the UK and beyond since October. We restate our unwavering opposition to all forms of antisemitism and Islamophobia--hate has no place on our campuses or in our society. UCU also has a dedicated 'Ceasefire Now' web area where you can find downloads, information and resources.

Durham Miners' Gala 2024

Join UCU Northern region and UCU members from all over the UK in Durham on Saturday 13 July 2024. 

Hosted by the Durham Miners' Association (DMA) since 1871, the motto for the Durham Miners' Gala is 'the past we inherit, the future we build'. The Gala is usually the largest trade union and labour movement event in Europe and is a unique and inspiring spectacle. The 138th Durham Miners Gala will also mark the 40th anniversary of the Miners' Strike. Click this page for more information and if you can attend please let us know by completing this very short form (closing on Monday 8 July 2024 at 23:59).

Jane McAlevey (1964-2024)

Jane McAlevey, American trade union organiser and friend of UCU, died on Sunday 7 July. We send our condolences to Jane's family and friends, and her work will continue to live on through the Organising for Power training programmes which have been attended by union activists and workplace reps all around the world. 

It's a Friday kind of Monday

Please note that, due to essential backend maintenance, the Friday Email for Friday 5 July was sent out on Monday 8 July. Normal service will resume on Friday 12 July.