Author Archives: Sandy Gould

University response to letter on MAB deductions

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The branch wrote to the University on the 25th May regarding deductions and the calling of strike action in response to these deductions and the University’s unwillingness to negotiate.

This is the text of the response that we received from the University. You can view the original reply in PDF form, too.

We have written to the University again to ask for negotiations over the MAB deductions.

2 June 2023

Dear Cardiff UCU Executive Committee

We write in response to your letter of 25 May 2023 regarding the forthcoming UCU strike action, which we note will take place as follows:

• 5 Strike days during our graduation week 17-21 July 2023
• 5 Strike days during confirmation and clearing 14-18 August 2023
• 5 Strike days during Welcome week 25 – 29 September 2023

We are of course deeply disappointed that Cardiff UCU have chosen to take this further action given the continuing disruption from the marking and assessment boycott to our students. It is also concerning that this action not only impacts on key events during our students ’University experience, but also targets activities which contribute to the financial sustainability of the University with the potential to impact staff and students not only now but in the future.

Whilst we are deeply concerned about this action, our position remains unchanged. We have been clear throughout that this institution rejects partial performance and that it is our policy to withhold pay from staff who participate in industrial action. We have always reserved the right to withhold 100% of pay from any member of staff who participates either in strike action or action short of a strike that breaches their contract of employment. This has been clearly communicated to staff and to UCU in our previous correspondence. Our policy reflects the legal position and is in response to action that may seriously compromise our students’ futures. It is simply not accurate to depict our approach as punitive. We have no choice but to fulfil our obligation to protect our students, and we do so in a form that has been adopted by most of the sector.

We do value harmonious industrial relations and recognise that we both find ourselves in this difficult position because of national matters. Since the dispute is a national one, we call upon Cardiff UCU to withdraw this local action so that we can continue to work together for the good of Cardiff staff and students.

Yours sincerely
University Executive Board

Upcoming Strike Action in Response to Punitive Deductions

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This letter was sent 25/May/2023. It is available in PDF form.

Dear Members of the University Executive Board,

We hope this letter finds you well. We understand that you have now received notice that we are organising strike action in response to your punitive deductions to the Marking and Assessment boycott.

Specifically we have resolved:

  • To call 5 strike days during our graduation week 17-21 July 2023. https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/graduation/graduation-2023
  • To call additional strike days (14-18 August) to coincide with confirmation and clearing, including Clearing Open Day.
  • To call strike days during Welcome week 25-29 September 2023.

We will call these off if we deem that Cardiff University HR have withdrawn their policy of punitive deductions or our dispute on pay and conditions draws to an end.

These actions will be undertaken by Cardiff UCU locally in response to your continued implementation of a policy response to the UCU Marking and Assessment Boycott that we have previously indicated to you in correspondence that we consider to be punitive. This decision was not taken lightly but reflects the great sense of outrage by our members. It is the direct results of a motion brought by our members that was passed at a quorate Extraordinary General Meeting on 28 April 2023, which was subsequently approved by the UCU Higher Education Officers.

While we understand the disruptive nature of strike actions, we feel compelled to take this step as it appears to be the only recourse left to us.

We now call on the University Executive Board to negotiate with us around the threatened pay deductions with a view to avoiding the proposed strikes.

We deeply value a harmonious relationship between the university administration and its employees. It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that we offer a potential resolution. To be clear, we are willing to stand down the announced strike dates if the University Executive Board withdraws their threats of punitive deductions and takes steps to reverse any punitive deductions that may have already been made by the time the decision to reverse is made.

Contrary to your announcement to students, our actions are not a national issue – it is in response to decisions at Cardiff University specifically, which it is within your power to rectify.

We consider punitive deductions as pay deductions that are not proportionate to the amount of work being boycotted. We maintain that Cardiff’s response of deduction 100% of pay and claiming that further work done by staff is ‘voluntary’ and may (or may not) yield a 50% discretionary payment is punitive. Other universities have announced deductions that are far lower and that more accurately reflect the workload that marking represents. The Open University, for example, is deducting 20% while Hertford, Ulster and Queen Margaret have decided against making deductions altogether. There are reports of other universities that are quietly deciding against making deductions. It is clear that Cardiff University is making a choice that it does not have to be making: one that is designed to hurt its own staff.

We know that the successful operation of a university relies on the collective efforts and goodwill of its staff.  We hope that through open dialogue and understanding, we can find a resolution that can be mutually beneficial to all parties.

We sincerely hope that the University Executive Board will consider our proposal and engage in constructive discussions about making an immediate reversal of the punitive pay deduction policy.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to your prompt response and a positive resolution to our shared challenges.

Yours sincerely,

Cardiff UCU

17th May Updates on Spring 2023 Marking and Assessment Boycott

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This email to members focuses on the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) that members are currently participating in.

One hundred and thirteen members have told us they are actively participating in the boycott. Another 40 members have told us they are still making up their minds. Twenty-four members have told us that they don’t have duties that they can refuse. Thirty-six have told us that they don’t intend to participate. We know that staff in CARBS, CHEMY, COMSC, EARTH, ENCAP, GEOPL, HCARE, JOMEC, LAWPL, MEDIC, MLANG, OPTOM, PHYSX, PSYCH, SHARE, SOCSI and BIOSI are participating. We know from other branches that a MAB is a form of industrial action that requires fewer participants to be effective than for a strike. It may feel you’re doing this alone, but you’re not. Remember, you can join the MAB at any point, even if you have already done some of your marking.

If you’ve not told the branch about whether you intend to participate yet, please complete the very short (60-seconds) branch survey:
https://cardiffucu.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/cardiff-ucu-marking-and-assessment-boycott-2023

The branch wrote to UEB regarding its deductions policies on the 4th May. A reply was received on Friday (12th). Unfortunately, the UEB was unable to bring any further clarity to its policies (some of which appear to have been surreptitiously changed). The branch asked UEB what it was doing to put as much pressure on UCEA to end the dispute as it was attempting to put on staff, but UEB is sticking to its line that “[a]s these are national collective matters, it requires both UCEA and the national trade union representatives to find a route through to a solution.” It is not clear what solutions can be found while UCEA refuses to negotiate with UCU. It ought to be surprising that our employer does not seem interested in effecting a change to this position.

Contributing to the local fighting fund

We are asking each member who is not participating in the MAB to give £50 to the branch GoFundMe, with the goal of raising £20,000 for it in the first instance. Participating in the MAB will cost your colleagues thousands of pounds. Much smaller sacrifices from members not participating would help ease the burden and help them to sustain action on your behalf.

Our GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/f7e70767

Marking boycotts take time to build pressure on employers. The longer that we can collectively support colleagues to stay in the action, the more pressure we can collectively exert on our employers.

Our branch treasurer has done some rough calculations, and found that a Grade 6, Spine 33 member engaged in the MAB is losing approximately £1200/month. To fully compensate everyone participating is not what we are aiming to do – not all members will need this level of support, even if we had the funds to provide it. But we do need to grow our local fighting fund in order to support members most financially affected by their participation.

The Birmingham UCU branch has raised a local fighting fund of £50,000. If we could raise even half of that we’d be in a much stronger position when it came to supporting members in the most difficult positions. If every member not participating in the MAB made a £50 contribution, we’d breeze past £20,000!

Participating in the boycott

We are asking everyone to participate to the fullest extent possible. The more tasks members refuse to perform, the more pressure we can put on our employer. If you are struggling to work out how to participate, please talk to your branch rep, or come along to one of the MAB solidarity meetings to talk about it. We are refusing tasks assigned to us as individuals, but this is a collective endeavour!

Solidarity meeting for Welsh speakers on Friday at 14.00

Ydych chi’n siarad Cymraeg? Do you speak Welsh? The branch is running a Welsh-medium solidarity meeting at 14.00 on Friday 19th May. The meeting is open to all members, not just staff in the School of Welsh. The meeting will take place entirely in Welsh. Unfortunately, Zoom is not able to provide live captioning for Welsh. If you are not a Welsh user, please do consider coming along to one of the other MAB solidarity meetings that have been scheduled. Diolch!

Please join on Zoom:
ID: 850 8418 4528
Passcode: 813119
https://cardiff.zoom.us/j/85084184528?pwd=MGxxRDk0THNqeG9lZWppSWMvTE1Ydz09

MAB solidarity meetings

Regular MAB solidarity meetings are taking place and are open to all members. Whether you have questions about the action, are thinking about taking part, or just want to talk about how things are going, please do join.

Wed 10 May at 12pm
Tue 16 May at 10am
Thu 18 May at 10am
Mon 22 May at 1pm
Wed 24 May at 11am

On Zoom: https://cardiff.zoom.us/j/81847133601?pwd=bWhKVmZ6emNxdW13cGMvOWdPVllyQT09

Second letter to Cardiff University Executive Board regarding marking and assessment boycott salary deductions

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This letter was sent to the Cardiff University Executive Board (UEB) on the 4th May 2023. It is also available in PDF form. Our first letter to UEB regarding deductions is also available, as is UEB’s response to that initial correspondence.

Dear University Executive Board,

We acknowledge your reply of the 3rd of May to our correspondence regarding the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) called by UCU.

We are disappointed to learn that you propose to maintain UEB’s policy of punitive pay deductions despite the damage this will undoubtedly cause to the institution and its members. UEB clearly intends to try and end this dispute by putting the University’s staff under maximum pressure – are you applying the same level of pressure to UCEA?

Our members have made a number of decisions on how to respond in case UEB fail to reconsider their punitive pay deduction policy, including passing a motion to undertake targeted strike action. We are moving to implement those decisions, but remain ready to de-escalate as soon as UEB decides to revise its position.

Your reply to our letter fails to provide clarity in even the most central aspects of UEB’s policy, and seems to further muddy the waters. UEB’s approach to the action needs to be clearly articulated so that HR policies can be evenly implemented across the institution.

You write in your response that:
“We […] have chosen […] to withhold a smaller proportion of pay at this stage[.]”

This is at odds with HR’s publicly stated position, which is that:
“The university will deduct 100% salary for each day staff participate in the MAB.”

It can be one or the other, but not both. The proposed Rube Goldberg machine for making up 50% of salary is explicitly contingent on the ex-gratia payments not being wages for work, but rather for ‘volunteering’.

If the UEB rejects partial performance, then according to UK Government advice, you must tell staff that “they should only attend work if they fulfil their contractual duties”.[1] If HR policy is now to only withhold ‘a smaller proportion of pay’, then you are accepting partial performance.

Where partial performance is accepted, the principle of quantum meruit applies. Pay must reflect the work done, and so deductions must be proportional. In some parts of the university, there are workload tariffs that may help to assess these deductions. For the majority of staff participating in the MAB, it is highly unlikely that proportionate deductions would be anywhere near 50% of salary. Some staff are facing these deductions for refusing to complete an hour or two of work.

Regarding the scale of the deductions proposed, you have written that:
“[The deductions policy] reflects the serious nature of the action being undertaken by UCU and the potential detrimental impact on our students.”

This should not have been a relevant factor in a determination of quantum meruit in relation to partial performance. You have, in a sense, attempted to price the deductions based on your characterisation of the ‘serious nature’ action, rather than on any concrete sense of the magnitude of work refused. Absent such a sense, it is difficult to see these deductions as anything but a punitive attempt to dissuade staff from participating.

Please, urgently, in the next two working days, can you clarify:

  1. Whether the University is now accepting partial performance as your letter implies.
  2. How the University intends to compute deductions to pay in relation to partial performance in relation to the principle of quantum meruit.
  3. What you are doing do apply pressure to UCEA such that it produces an offer capable of ending the dispute.

Finally, you end your letter by suggesting that your decisions were ‘forced upon’ you. The narrative that the University is a hostage to fortune in these disputes is untrue, and not conducive to a resolution. Other institutions have made different choices, current HR policy is a choice made by UEB.

Cardiff UCU

[1] https://www.gov.uk/if-your-business-faces-industrial-action/strike-pay-and-working-records

Motion: Responding to Threats of Punitive Reductions for Marking and Assessment Boycott (amended)

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Cardiff UCU EGM, 28 April 2023

Cardiff University HR have announced punitive pay deductions of 100% (with a 50% discretionary payment if all other duties are fulfilled) in response to our MAB.

This is a gross over-reaction that threatens to cause serious damage to our university. If UEB attack the university’s staff, they attack the university itself.

For the purposes of:

  1. forcing UEB to withdraw their punitive deduction policy
  2. providing legal backing to participants in the MAB who are not prepared to continue working for a 50% discretionary payment, and
  3. showing solidarity with our members who are affected by deductions,
  4. forcing UEB to use its influence with the employers to re-start negotiations in the 4 fights,

The branch resolves:

  1. To call 5 strike days during our graduation week 17-21 July 2023. https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/graduation/graduation-2023
  2. To call additional strike days to coincide with confirmation and clearing, including Clearing Open Day, around A-level results day on 17 August 2023.  https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/supporting-your-work/teach-and-support-students/admissions-and-student-recruitment/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/confirmation-clearing
  3. To call strike days during Welcome week 25-29 September 2023.
  4. To call an indefinite strike in the interim if we deem that Cardiff University HR have not withdrawn their policy of punitive deductions.

We will call these off if we deem that Cardiff University HR have withdrawn their policy of punitive deductions or our dispute on pay and conditions draws to an end.

Votes on the amendments: 73 for (78%), 7 against (8%), 13 absentions (14%) (out of 93 votes). The amendments pass.

Votes on the amended motion: 69 for (87%), 2 against (3%), 8 abstentions (10%) (out of 79 votes). The amended motion passes.

UCU industrial action developments

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Below is a list of think pieces written by various UCU members and collectives following the UCU Higher Education Committee’s (HEC) decision on Friday 17th March to proceed with strikes and not to put the UCEA/USS proposal out to members to accept/reject. Vicky Blake’s and UCL UCU’s pieces are good ones to start with, though we don’t endorse any particular position.

UCU national – summary of HE negotiations 2022/23
https://www.ucu.org.uk/he2022

*Vicky Blake (HEC member, previous President of UCU): What’s going on, and why did HEC vote against consultation on the disputes? 20 March
https://vickyblakeucu.uk/2023/03/20/whats-going-on-and-why-did-hec-vote-against-consultation-on-the-disputes/

*UCL UCU: HEC Decision Q&As, 20 March
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ucu/campaigns/uss-and-four-fights/hec-decision-qas

UCU Left: Statement on USS and Four Fights, 21 March(?)
https://uculeft.org/ucu-left-statement-on-uss-and-4fights/

Notes from Below: The University Worker (bulletin) ‘Keep the strikes going!’, 20 March
https://notesfrombelow.org/article/university-worker-20th-march-2023

Notes from Below: ‘UCU Democracy’ by Royal Holloway Early Career Academics, 19 March
https://notesfrombelow.org/article/ucu-democracy

UCU Commons: Moving On: the 17 March HEC Decision and Next Steps, 20 March
https://ucucommons.org/2023/03/20/moving-on-the-17-march-hec-decision-and-next-steps/

UCU Left: We stopped the sell-out. Fight on to victory! 19 March(?)
https://mailchi.mp/uculeft.com/we-stopped-the-sell-out-fight-on-to-victory

Reverse USS: Have we ‘won’ on USS? 19 March
https://reverseuss.wordpress.com/2023/03/19/have-we-won-on-uss/

UCU Commons: The offer and the details in, 16 March
https://ucucommons.org/2023/03/16/the-offer-and-the-details-in/

Reverse USS: Have we ‘won’ on USS?, 19 Mar
https://reverseuss.wordpress.com/2023/03/19/have-we-won-on-uss/

Campaign for UCU Democracy: Does HEC listen to UCU members?, 21st March
https://campaignforucudemocracy.com/2023/03/21/does-hec-listen-to-ucu-members/

UCU Left: Reject the Rubbish Non-Offer – No More Surveys!, 24 Mar
https://uculeft.org/reject-the-rubbish-non-offer-no-more-surveys/

UCU Left: This is no time to end our disputes, 27 Mar
https://uculeft.org/this-is-no-time-to-end-our-disputes/

Campaign for UCU Democracy: Does HEC listen to UCU members?, 27th March
https://campaignforucudemocracy.com/2023/03/27/what-do-you-think/

Mark Taylor-Batty blog: USS update – a brief for members of the USS pension scheme from elected UCU negotiators, 27th March
https://medium.com/@marktaylorbatty_59000/uss-update-a-briefing-for-members-of-the-uss-pension-scheme-from-elected-ucu-negotiators-5ef254172f62

UCU HE Negotiators: UCU National Negotiators’ Analysis of the ACAS offer on pay gaps, contract type and workload, 26th March
https://medium.com/@ucunegotiatorshe/ucu-national-negotiators-analysis-of-the-acas-offer-on-pay-gaps-contract-type-and-workload-269ff3bb5ed8

Support for survivors of sexual harassment at Cardiff University Branch Motion 

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The executive notes: 

  1. UCU’s commitment to eradicating sexual harassment in HE and FE, and its setting up of a helpline for survivors of sexual harassment.  
  1. The fact that many UCU branches are creating named contact(s) for sexual harassment cases and adopting the model UCU policy (https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/9316/Sexual-Harassment-Support-Helpline) 
  1. That the prevalence of sexual harassment in HE was highlighted in a recent series of Al-Jazeera Podcasts, Degrees of Abuse, https://interactive.aljazeera.com/aje/2021/degrees-of-abuse/index.html. 
  1. That few of the branch’s caseworkers are trained in how to deal with cases of sexual harassment, especially where supporting survivors is concerned. 

The executive resolves: 

  1. To adopt UCU’s policy on Dealing with Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, to communicate this to the membership through the newsletter. 
  1. To recruit at least two named contacts who can advise survivors of sexual harassment. These contacts will be encouraged to attend the three-day training on Challenging Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/11724/Challenging-sexual-harassment-in-the-workplace-28-February–7-14-March-2022-online-Yorkshire–Humber) 
  1. To offer local, less extensive training on challenging sexual harassment to all members of the executive committee, all departmental representatives, and all caseworkers, as well as to any other interested member of the branch. 

Bilingual out-of-office messages for UCU industrial action 2023

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For ASOS (action short of a strike) – until further notice

Diolch am eich neges. Noder fy mod yn ‘gweithio i gontract’ fel rhan o weithredu diwydiannol UCU i gefnogi cyflog a phensiynau teg ym maes addysg uwch. Gall hyn olygu y bydd yn cymryd yn hirach i mi ymateb i e-byst. Gallwch ddod o hyd i ragor o wybodaeth am yr anghydfod yma: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12759/University-strike-dates-in-February-and-March-confirmed

Thank you for your message. Please note I am ‘working to contract’ as part of the UCU industrial action in support of fair pay and pensions in higher education. This may mean it takes longer for me to respond to emails. You can find out more about the dispute here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12759/University-strike-dates-in-February-and-March-confirmed

For strike days – 1st February 2023 onwards

Option 1 for strike days

Diolch am eich neges. Noder fy mod ar streic heddiw fel rhan o weithredu diwydiannol UCU i gefnogi cyflog a phensiynau teg ym maes addysg uwch. Gallwch ddod o hyd i ragor o wybodaeth am yr anghydfod yma: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12759/University-strike-dates-in-February-and-March-confirmed  

Thank you for your message. Please note I am on strike today as part of the UCU industrial action in support of fair pay and pensions in higher education. You can find out more about the dispute here: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12609/Biggest-ever-university-strikes-set-to-hit-UK-campuses-over-pay-conditions–pensions  

Option 2 for strike days

I am not able to check email today as members of Cardiff UCU are taking industrial action, along with members at 150 other universities, over attacks on pay, working conditions, and pensions. Members of Cardiff UCU will be on strike for 18 days in February and March, starting on the February 1st. Please do not email on these days as I will not be able to respond to emails sent to me on strike days on my return. If you would like more information about the dispute, please go to www.cardiffucu.org.uk. If you are a student, please do contact v-c@cardiff.ac.uk to find out what steps the Vice-Chancellor is taking to avoid a dispute.

Nid wyf yn gallu agor fy e-bost heddiw gan fod aelodau UCU Caerdydd yn ymgymryd â gweithredu diwydiannol, ynghyd â 150 o brifysgolion eraill, o achos ymosodiadau ar gyflog, amodau gwaith, a phensiynau. Bydd aelodau UCU Caerdydd ar streic am 18 diwrnod ym mis Chwefror a mis Mawrth, gan ddechrau ar Chwefror 1af. Peidiwch ag e-bostio yn ystod y dyddiau hyn os gwelwch yn dda gan na fydd modd i mi ymateb i’r e-byst sydd wedi eu gyrru i mi ar ddiwrnodau’r streic pan fyddaf yn dychwelyd. Os hoffech fwy o wybodaeth am yr anghydfod, ewch i www.cardiffucu.org.uk os gwelwch yn dda. Os ydych yn fyfyriwr/aig, mae croeso i chi gysylltu â v-c@cardiff.ac.uk er mwyn darganfod pa gamau sy’n cael eu cymryd gan yr Is-ganghellor er mwyn osgoi’r anghydfod. 

Option 3 for strike days

Shwmae! Sai ar gael ar hyn o bryd achos fy mod yn cymryd rhan mewn streic fel rhan o weithredu diwydiannol gan Undeb y Brifysgol a’r Coleg (UCU) i amddiffyn ein hawl i bensiwn teg, cyflog teg, cytundebau diogel a chydraddoldeb yn y gweithle. 

Os wyt ti’n fyfyriwr, anfona e-bost at yr Is-ganghellor i ofyn iddo ddweud wrth sefydliad y prifysgolion (UCEA) i ddelio â’r anghydfod yn deg. Gallwch chi wneud hynny yma >>> https://www.ucu.org.uk/email-your-Vc 

Mae Undeb Myfyrwyr Prifysgol Caerdydd yn cefnogi’r streic ac mae Undeb Prifysgolion a Cholegau Caerdydd wedi pleidleisio o blaid yr holl fyfyrwyr sydd am fynnu ad-daliad ffioedd.

Anfona e-bost ataf yn ôl ar ddiwrnod nad yw’n ddiwrnod streic UCU: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12759/University-strike-dates-in-February-and-March-confirmed

**

Hello! I’m not available right now because I’m taking part in the University and College Union (UCU) strike action to defend our right to a fair pension, fair pay, secure contracts and equality at work.

If you’re a student, please email the Vice Chancellor to ask him to tell the Universities’ organisation UCEA to deal with the dispute fairly. You can do that right here >>> https://www.ucu.org.uk/email-your-Vc 

Cardiff Uni Student’s Union supports the strike and Cardiff UCU has voted in support of all students who wish to demand fee refunds.

Please email me back on a day that is not a UCU strike day: https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12759/University-strike-dates-in-February-and-March-confirmed

Timetable of Strike Activities, February/March 2023

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This is a reproduction of the strike activities timetable in linear form. We will try our best to keep it up to date during action, but sometimes last minute changes are necessary. Please follow the branch on social media or join the branch announcements WhatsApp group for more information.

Wednesday 15 March

08:30 – Full pickets on buildings
11:00 – Rally at Main Gate
11:30 – Join TUC all-unions rally at Central Square

Thursday 16 March

08:30 – SHARE members picketing Main Building
11:30 – Teach out – “Equality in our University” at Student Union 3G

Friday 17 March

08:30 – MEDIC, DNTL, HCARE, MLANG and EARTH members picketing Main Building
11:30 – Strike bird-watching walk, leaving from Main Building

Monday 20 March

08:30 – SOCSI, GEOPL, PHYSX, ENGIN members picketing Main Building
11:30 – Teach out – “Know your rights” at Student Union 3G

Tuesday 21 March

08:30 – CARBS, COMSC, MATHS and UITBG members picketing Main Building

Wednesday 22 March

08:30 – Full pickets on buildings
11:30 – Rally at Main Gate

Schedule of activities on past strike days

Wednesday 1 February

08:30 – Full pickets on buildings
11:30 – Short UCU rally and then joining TUC rally

Thursday 9 February

08:30 – Full pickets on buildings

11.30 – Teach out: New Buildings Walking Tour starting at the Main Gate

Friday 10 February

08:30 – Pickets by LAWPL on Main Gate only

Tuesday 14 February

08:30 – Full pickets on buildings
11:00 – Rally at Main Gate
TBD – Potential Valentines fundraiser

Wednesday 15 February

08:30 – PSYCH+BIOSI picketing Main Gate
TBD – Member talks

Thursday 16 February

08:30 – ENCAP+JOMEC picketing Main Gate

Upcoming UCU CPD training – Early 2023

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Allyship and Solidarity
Friday 24 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Wednesday 29 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Know what we mean by “allyship”
  • Understand why allyship and solidarity is essential now
  • Understand the difference between meaningful allyship and performative allyship
  • Explore how we can build structures that allow us to support each other.

Challenging Casualisation in Education
Tuesday 24 January 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Thursday 02 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Tuesday 14 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • understand why casualisation is so damaging to education and staff
  • understand what staff on casual contracts locally see as a priority for change
  • understand how more securely employed staff can support casually employed staff in their workplaces
  • be aware of the UCU campaign against casualisation and how they can contribute.

Challenging Excessive Workload in Education
Monday 23 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Monday 30 January 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Thursday 02 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Monday 06 February 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Thursday 02 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Thursday 16 March 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 28 March  4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • identify why excessive workload is so damaging to education and staff
  • Identify collective responses to tackling excessive workloads
  • Develop an understanding of workload as a health and safety issue
  • Make members aware of the UCU campaign on workload and how they can contribute

Challenging Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence
Tuesday 07 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 28 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Identify what we mean by individual harassment and sexual harassment
  • Understand how workplace policies protect staff
  • Understand UCU’s approach to challenging sexual harassment and sexual violence
  • Explore how we can all challenge sexual harassment more broadly in the workplace.

Collectively Challenging Disability Discrimination
Tuesday 24 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Wednesday 08 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book 
Tuesday 21 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book 

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Know more about what is meant by disability
  • Understand the social model of disability promoted by the UCU
  • Explore how we can all challenge disability discrimination in the workplace.

Community Accountability for Racial Justice
Tuesday 31 January 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 07 February 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Friday 03 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Tuesday 21 March 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Understand UCU’s Community Accountability for Racial Justice programme
  • Explore how to build alliances for racial justice within and beyond your institution
  • Consider how to bring community influence to bear on institutions
  • Discuss how to create enduring, inclusive and pleasurable structures that will work toward winning racial justice.

Decarbonise and Decolonise
Thursday 26 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Monday 30 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Monday 20 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Friday 03 March  2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Monday 20 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • provide an introductory understanding of climate justice and its connection with decolonising and decarbonising
  • support participants to identify opportunities to apply decolonising and decarbonising for climate justice to the education sector
  • encourage participants to develop their own practice to consider climate justice and intersectionality
  • explore the role of UCU branches and members in mobilising action for decolonising and decarbonising.

Democratising Education- UCU Green New Deal
Friday 03 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Thursday 16 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Thursday 09 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Wednesday 29 March  10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Understand the meaning of democratising education  
  • Realise the interconnection between democratising education and the climate crisis
  • Be able to communicate with branch members and the student movement on democratising education to progress the UCU Green New Deal
  • Gain an awareness of what others are doing to democratise.

Embedding Climate Education in the Curriculum 
Wednesday 25 January 10:30am- 12 noon click here to book
Friday 10 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book 

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Understand why sustainability issues are so important to students and UCU members
  • Explore how sustainability issues have been incorporated into a range of learning programmes
  • Reflect on how to amend your own practice
  • Consider how you could use your experience to support other UCU members around sustainability issues.

Everyday Ableism
Tuesday 31 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 14 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Tuesday 28 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Know more about what is meant by ableism and what it looks like
  • Understand the social model of disability promoted by UCU
  • Explore what UCU branches can do to challenge ableist cultures.

Introduction to Sustainability
Friday 24 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book 
Wednesday 15 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Understand student demand for sustainability and climate education
  • Explore the meaning of sustainability
  • Make the connection between sustainability and climate education
  • Understand the relevant frameworks defining sustainability, and how to apply them.

LGBT+ Language in Use
Wednesday 08 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Wednesday 15 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Wednesday 22 February 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Thursday 23 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Have a greater understanding of LGBT+ language in use
  • Be more confident in the use of appropriate language
  • Explore how your professional practice could be improved by using supportive and inclusive language
  • Consider how to develop, support and promote UCU campaigns in support of LGBT+ equality.

The Menopause is a Workplace Issue
Thursday 26 January 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Thursday 02 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 07 March 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Wednesday 15 March 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Thursday 30 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Understand why the menopause is a workplace and a trade union issue
  • Understand some of the challenges facing those with menopausal symptoms in the workplace
  • Explore strategies to support members through the menopause in the workplace

Neurodiversity at Work
Wednesday 01 February 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book *Teach Out session*
Friday 03 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Monday 06 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 07 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Thursday 16 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Thursday 23 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • know more about Neurodiversity and what it means to be Neurodivergent
  • understand the workplace barriers that prevent full participation at work
  • clarify the role of the employer in supporting neurodivergent workers
  • explore action that members and branches can take to support neurodivergent workers

Running Climate Learning Events
Thursday 09 February 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Tuesday 07 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • understand how to involve and engage allies including colleagues and students, in helping to run the climate-themed learning events
  • know what UCU resources are available, and how to add to them
  • explore specific resources and consider how they could be adapted to support local initiatives.

Tackling the Hostile Environment: Understanding the Challenges Facing Migrants in the UK
Monday 23 January 4:00pm-5:30pm click here to book
Friday 27 January 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Weds 01 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book *Teach out session*
Thursday 09 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Thursday 16 March 10:30am-12 noon click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  • Know more about the challenges faced by migrant staff and students in post 16 education and beyond
  • Understand how to show practical solidarity with migrant staff
  • Explore how we can ensure that workplaces and the union are inclusive spaces for migrant staff.

Working Safely
Friday 27 January 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Thursday 09 February 10:30am-12 noon click here to book
Wednesday 08 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book
Thursday 30 March 2:00pm-3:30pm click here to book

The full aims of the interactive workshop are to:

  1. understand why it’s important to unapologetically protect your health and wellbeing at this time
  2. identify some of the challenges you face in working safely whether from home, back in the workplace or a blend of the two
  3. Be clear about what support you can expect from your employer
  4. Identify support available from UCU

How UCU CPD interactive workshops work

The taught session will last for about 75 minutes, after which time we take 15-20 minutes to discuss the issues raised. The total time commitment will be around an hour and a half.

You will need to find a quiet space, away from distractions (like telephone and email!), and you may prefer to use headphones for the session. I would also recommend that you check that you can use Zoom before the session if you are unfamiliar with it.

Following registration you will be sent a meeting number and password for the webinar using Zoom about 5 days before the start of the workshop. You will be able to join the session from about 10 minutes before the stated start time. I would also recommend that you do join five to 10 minutes early as you will need to be admitted to the session, and of course there can be technical problems.

Live transcription will be available. We plan to use the zoom “chat” function during the session. If that will in any way inhibit your full participation please contact us beforehand so that alternative arrangements can be made.

We are passionately committed to ensuring that everyone can fully participate in UCU CPD sessions so if you need us to make any additional facilities available to you please get in touch as soon as you can. We will do everything possible to help. 

If you have any questions or would like us to host a cpd session in your own workplace please email me at: gpickard@ucu.org.uk