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

The UCUs general secretary Jo Grady spoke at this year’s conference and said:

“Trans people are threatened, intimidated, attacked and dehumanised, often by people who should know better. … The issues and challenges facing working people have never been greater. The UK has never been more unequal. Yet we are constantly drawn into right-wing territory. Divide and conquer. This is a repeat of how gay people have been treated. And this is a repeat of how black people have been treated. As trade unionists we should never engage in the oppression of others. … Let us tackle the reality of issues faced by trans people, not as they are imagined by people who do not face them.”

Today we want to take the opportunity to reaffirm our support for our trans siblings to ensure they feel safe and supported on campus. As a branch we stand with our most marginalised colleagues and comrades. Trans people are currently the focus of a manufactured moral panic. The public discourse on trans rights often focuses on the theoretical and abstracted, forgetting that real people are at its centre. This discourse very rarely includes trans voices yet since 2014 transphobic hate crime has increased 332% (Pink News) with 4 out of 5 trans people experiencing transphobic hate crime within the last 12 months (Galop).  As a union we do not forget that real people are suffering as a consequence of a so-called debate. Universities have a duty to ensure staff and students can work and study in safety and without harassment and they must be held accountable if they fall short. The UCU stands with trans people and stands up for trans rights.  

• Questions regarding missed teaching content:
  • “Teaching and other duties due to take place on strike days have been disrupted.”

• Questions regarding whether materials have been made available to students or not:
  • “National UCU advises members not to reschedule lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action nor to share materials related to lectures or classes that have been cancelled as a result of strike action.”

• Questions regarding impacts on learning outcomes or the need for changes in assessment:
  • “Strike action is likely to have caused disruption to students’ learning. A full determination of how is not possible at this point without significant additional labour on our part that would go against our current ‘action short of a strike’.”

• If asked for any further information you think may be useful
  • [Do not provide any information beyond what you were directly asked]

As a PhD student and teaching assistant here in Cardiff, I am so proud to support the lecturers, academics, and all staff striking for change. My partner and his family are also nurses who, like you, deserve so much better. I’m going to tell you a bit about what’s happening in universities and across the country of Iran right now, as Iranians are fighting in their struggle for freedom. 

‘In the name of the God of Rainbows’- This is a sentence of a 10-year-old boy called Kian. He was a creative and intelligent young boy in Iran who was shot dead by the Police force while he was in his car with parents and younger brother.  

“Woman, Life, Freedom”, “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî”, is the slogan that Iranians have been chanting in the past 75 days in response to the Islamic Republic Regime’s fathomless violations of human rights. The slogan, in its essence, brings light to the systematic suppression of women’s rights and all minority groups in Iran. The revolution started with the death of Mahsa Amini, but according to reports, more than 400 people, including 63 children, have been killed and more than 18,000 people have been arrested since the protests began the real numbers are likely to be much higher than this. Furthermore, ethnic minorities, including Kurdish and Baloch people have been subjected to increasing suppression at ruthless levels. 

University students, like myself, and school children have joined the forefront of the revolution throughout the country by protesting, not attending classes, and writing statements to demand justice for political prisoners and victims. In return for their peaceful protests, the Regime’s security forces, specifically the Police, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Paramilitary Volunteer Militia (the Basij force), and the Plainclothes Police have raided campuses, dorms, and high schools, and have assaulted and arrested a vast number of students. Many students have been either suspended from education or have been denied entry to campuses until further notice. Several professors and lecturers have also been dismissed or suspended due to their political stance in supporting the students. 

As we are releasing this statement, many students and academics are being assaulted, detained, abducted, and held in unknown locations. Some of those detainees are being subjected to brutal interrogations, coerced confessions, torture, and rape. Some are facing wrongful convictions, in particular, death penalties issued by the Regime’s courts. The imminent risk to students’ lives and safety in Iran is extremely dire and requires immediate action and attention from all who have freedom of speech. 

This is not only the story of teachers and educational staff who are under pressure and at risk, but also young school and university students who have been tortured, killed and imprisoned. Recently a 16-year-old girl was beaten to death in front of fellow students and teachers, by security Forces who forced their way into the school. There are headteachers who are leaving their jobs or confronting the authorities because they do not want to cooperate with the regime. One headteacher was imprisoned for not letting the authorities check the CCTVs in the school as they attempted to identify students who were protesting. Just yesterday another headteacher, Dr Zahra Lori, died. After supporting her student’s she was suspended, and was under intense mental pressure from the Islamic republic over the last four weeks. Shiva Mofakheri, a teacher and mathematician, like myself, was arrested two weeks ago – her fate and whereabouts remain unknown. In Iran, every moment of life is a protest, is a conflict. The Islamic Republic regime is actually sending students to mental hospitals for protesting, and this has been condemned by the American Psychiatric association.  

We thank NEU- National Education Union- who showed their solidarity with the Cooperative council of Iranian Teachers Trade (CCITT) on the 11th November. But there is more that the world can do, so we demand the following from academia and governments:  

• To issue an official statement condemning and demanding an end to the assault on the academic community in Iran.  

• To boycott Iranian university officials and academics who have actively facilitated and are facilitating the Regime’s attacks on Iranian students and scholars; this includes preventing their participation at international events and conferences, their collaboration to scientific discourse and publications, and their presence at academic institutions.  
• To provide protective and facilitative measures for Iranian scholars at risk or in exile; measures include creating scholarships, explicit application processes; waiving tuition and application fees, and further accommodating actions. 
• To establish and promote educational activities including funding programs and scholarly research projects that raise awareness on the human rights situation in Iran; workshops, panel discussions, conferences, and publications can be called to this matter both in the short- and long-term. 
• To disengage with the Regime’s lobbyists who promote the Regime’s propaganda, and to amplify the collective voice of the people of Iran.  
• To call for a firm and unequivocal release of all political prisoners and detainees of the current revolution in Iran, and to advocate international organizations including the United Nations and all its subsidiaries to apply maximal international pressure to hold the Regime accountable for its crimes and violations against human rights. 

• To call for a halt to and abstain from any deal or action that will financially or otherwise assist the Regime. 

Your support is appreciated. We have freedom of speech here in Wales, please use it. Your silence helps the oppressor, not the oppressed. I am so happy to support all of you in the UCU and to receive support from you all. Please stand on the right side of history with us.  

In solidarity with the people of Iran, 

For Woman. Life. Freedom.

If working to contract or not undertaking voluntary activities:

•You may know that from 23 November, UCU members are taking action short of a strike (ASOS) consisting of working to contract. Because I would be entirely unable to fit the proposed activity into my 35-hour contracted weekly workload, and it is an activity I’m not contractually obliged to engage in, I am sorry to say that I will be unable to [outline requested activity].

If not covering for absent colleagues:

•You may know that from 23 November, UCU members are taking action short of a strike (ASOS) consisting of working to contract and refusing to cover for absent colleagues. Because I would be entirely unable to fit the proposed activity into my 35-hour contracted weekly workload, and it is an activity that is part of the declared ASOS, I am sorry to say that I will be unable to [outline requested activity].

If refusing to reschedule classes missed due to industrial action:

•          You may know that from 23 November, UCU members are taking action short of a strike (ASOS) consisting of working to contract and refusing to reschedule classes missed due to industrial action. Because I would be entirely unable to fit the proposed activity into my 35-hour contracted weekly workload, and it is an activity that is part of the declared ASOS, I am sorry to say that I will be unable to [outline requested activity]. I expect, however, that module learning outcomes will be met even if no classes are rescheduled.

Important: these template answers should only be used in response to particular requests. We do not need to say that we will be taking part in ASOS where this is not in response to a request that we do something that we refuse to do because of ASOS. With working to contract and voluntary activities, line managers can request a colleague does a certain activity, but we are entitled to respond by asking which other activity we should not perform, as there is no spare time available in the workload. This tends to defuse the demand and is not a breach of contract.

Wales UCU Rally at the Senedd Wed 30 Nov 12.30

12.30 Welcome from Cardiff University, University of South Wales, Open University & Cardiff Met

• Terry Driscoll USW
• Anita Pilgrim OU

12.40 Celebration of coming together and supporting each other -experiences and witnesses of impacts and ‘Michael Sheen – UCU version’ speech

• Yma o hyd -Siôn Jones and Michael Munnik

12:45 Senior staff on strike message of support

12:50 Support from students

• CU Socialist Society = George Phillips
• CU Students Union = Noah Russell tbc

12:55 Solidarity and commitment to disabled, BME and trans members

13:05 Shout out to politicians arriving for discussions with staff and students

13:10 Solidarity from Trade Unions

• RCN = Royal College of Nurses = Nicki Hughes
• CWU = Communication Workers Union = Jason Richards
• Cardiff Trades Council = Dave Bartlett 

13:20 International solidarity

Iranian speaker = Layla Sadeghi Namaghi 

13:25 Solidarity Forever – Universities version

Lyrics below:

Solidarity with UCU forever 

(Chorus)  

Solidarity forever  
Solidarity forever  
Solidarity forever  
For the union makes us strong  

When the union’s inspiration through the workers’ blood shall run  

There can be no power greater anywhere beneath the sun  

For what force on earth is weaker than the feeble strength of one  
But the union makes us strong  

Solidarity forever…  

It is we design the courses, do the teaching, mark essays,  
And work way beyond our hours to attend the open days,  
Yet they’d cut our pay and pensions till the job no longer pays,  
But the union makes us strong  

Solidarity forever…  
  

Our VCs are on three hundred K they barely toil to earn,  

Many staff are paid so badly that they wonder where to turn,  

We can break that haughty power, gain our freedom where we learn  
‘Cos the union makes us strong  
 

Solidarity forever…  

We can close the gender pay gap, end the curse of zero hours,  

Fight to work the time contracted, we can shake the ivory towers,  

Only if we stand together and unite in all our powers,  

Can the union make us strong  

Solidarity forever…  

In our hands we hold a power greater than UCEA’s gold-  

Than the USS trustees, and if we’re organized and bold,  

We can build a better uni from the ashes of the old,  

For the union makes us strong  

Solidarity forever… 
 

Original artwork by Esther Muddiman 

(Cymraeg isod)

StrikeFest!

Buy tickets here

Saturday 3 December, 1-10pm in Shift

StrikeFest is an eclectic all-dayer with festival vibes, moving from stalls, print-making, and acoustic performances earlier in the day to bands and DJs for a chance to dance in the evening.

The event will raise money for Cardiff UCU’s fighting fund. University and College Union members at 150 institutions across the UK will be taking action in a historic national strike to defend pensions, tackle pay inequality and casualisation, and fight for better pay and working conditions. We raise money to support our lowest paid and most precarious members to go on strike, because the loss of pay is most significant for these people.

We don’t want cost to be a barrier for entry so this event is pay what you can, and if you’re able to give more in solidarity with striking workers, please do! If you can’t attend the event but would still like to donate, we welcome you to do so by making a donation on this event page.

Bands and performances

• Bloodshot Canyon Brothers
• Beauty Parlour
• Tomos Lewis
•  Cosmo
•  Imran Khan – spoken word
• Ade Jonz (Excellent Skeleton)
• Mica Soft
• Louie Lane and Ella
• Gemini and Rowan (Dan’s People)
• More tbc

Stalls

·       Bristol labels will be selling their records throughout the day

·       Print your own strike merch! Bring a light-coloured tote-bag or t-shirt to print Esther Muddiman’s strike designs onto. We will also have some you can buy on the day

Acorn Renter’s Union

Bar

Cash only donation bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Please bring a reusable cup if you can, to cut down on single-use plastic waste.

Location and access

Shift is located in the basement of the Capitol Shopping Centre on Queen Street, Cardiff. The entrance is on the corner opposite Sainsbury’s, not in the shopping mall itself. There are lifts for step-free access.

CYMRAEG

StrikeFest

Dydd Sadwrn 3 Rhagfyr, 1-10pm yn Shift

Mae StrikeFest yn ddiwrnod eclectig o ŵyl, gyda stondinau, argraffu, areithiau, a pherfformiadau acwstig yn gynharach yn y dydd ac ymlaen i fandiau a DJs am gyfle i ddawnsio gyda’r nos.

Bydd y digwyddiad yn codi arian ar gyfer cronfa ymladd UCU Caerdydd. Bydd aelodau Undeb Prifysgolion a Cholegau mewn 150 o sefydliadau ar draws y DU yn cymryd camau mewn streic genedlaethol hanesyddol i amddiffyn pensiynau, mynd i’r afael ag anghydraddoldebau cyflog ac achlysurol, a brwydro am well cyflog ac amodau gwaith. Rydym yn codi arian i gefnogi ein haelodau ar y cyflogau isaf a mwyaf ansicr i fynd ar streic, oherwydd colli cyflog sydd fwyaf arwyddocaol i’r bobl hyn.

Nid ydym am gost fod yn rhwystr rhag mynediad felly mae’r digwyddiad hwn yn talu’r hyn a allwch, ac os gallwch chi roi mwy mewn undod â gweithwyr sydd ar streic, gwnewch hynny! Os na allwch fynychu’r digwyddiad ond yr hoffech gyfrannu o hyd, mae croeso i chi wneud hynny trwy wneud cyfraniad ar y dudalen digwyddiad hon.

Bandiau, perfformiadau a DJs

• Tomos Lewis
• Cosmo
•  Imran Khan – gair llafar
•  Ade Jonz (Excellent Skeleton)
• Louie Lane a Ella
• Mica Soft
• Gemini a Rowan (Pobl Dan)
• Bloodshot Canyon Brothers
• Beauty Parlour

…Mwy i’w gadarnhau

Stondinau ac yn y blaen

· Bydd labeli Bryste yn gwerthu eu recordiau trwy’r dydd

· Argraffwch eich nwyddau streic eich hun! Dewch â bagiau “tote” neu grys-t lliw golau i argraffu dyluniadau streic Esther Muddiman arno. Bydd gennym hefyd rai y gallwch eu prynu ar y diwrnod

Bar

Bar rhoddion arian parod yn unig gyda diodydd alcoholig a di-alcohol. Dewch â chwpan amldro os gallwch chi, i gwtogi ar wastraff plastig untro.

Lleoliad a mynediad

Mae Shift wedi’i leoli ar islawr Canolfan Siopa Capitol ar Heol y Frenhines, Caerdydd.

 Mae’r fynedfa ar y gornel gyferbyn â Sainsbury’s, nid yn y ganolfan siopa ei hun. Mae lifftiau ar gyfer mynediad heb risiau.