We are the University: weekly roundup

Meetings have started to take place at university branches across the UK and we know dozens more are planned over the coming weeks. We have used this week to expose the hypocrisy of vice chancellors across the UK who are overseeing devastating job and course cuts while pocketing eye watering amounts of money themselves.

Last night we held an excellent UCU Live event and I would really encourage you to watch the recording here. We heard from UCU branches in dispute about how members are supporting each other, and how important the forthcoming industrial action ballot is. This morning I spoke to the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 about proposed redundancies and why we are fighting back and balloting. You can listen to the interview on the BBC website (from around 54 minutes in) and read this article on BBC News.

As we head into the final full week before ballot papers land, I am pleased to inform members that on Tuesday 14 October (19:00) we will be holding our next UCU Live session. The focus will be on solidarity and bringing people together. We will be joined by guest speakers including Eddie Dempsey of the RMT, Steve Wright of the FBU, Paul Fleming of Equity and many more. You can watch the session live on Tuesday night via YouTube link. If you can't make it on Tuesday night, you can click on the same YouTube link to catch up at a later time.

I want to conclude by acknowledging all the hard work that is taking place across the UK as we build towards the ballot, particularly by reps in those branches which already have live local fights, and the UCU staff who are supporting them. The momentum is building and so is the pressure on management. Remember to never miss the chance to recruit a new UCU member and to convince a colleague to vote YES. It is workplace solidarity that wins ballots.

I look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday 14 October at 19:00.

In solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary