QM_UCU
@qmucu.bsky.social
Local University & College Union branch at Queen Mary University of London. || Account checked only part-time; allow time for responses or reach us via email. https://qmucu.org/
Pinned
QM_UCU
@qmucu.bsky.social
· Nov 15
Quick digest of what's happening
⭐️ reorganisation: qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
⭐️ management break-in in union office: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
⭐️ punitive deductions: qmucu.org/2023/09/12/l...
⭐️ legal challenge to deductions: qmucu.org/working-grou...
⭐️ news: qmucu.org/itn/ pic.x.com/Skb3gbpm86
⭐️ reorganisation: qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
⭐️ management break-in in union office: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
⭐️ punitive deductions: qmucu.org/2023/09/12/l...
⭐️ legal challenge to deductions: qmucu.org/working-grou...
⭐️ news: qmucu.org/itn/ pic.x.com/Skb3gbpm86
Reposted by QM_UCU
Honestly completely irresponsible how press & policy makers rely on one man so obviously ideologically committed to a failed policy he drove through when he was special advisor to Willets.
He's spent his career lashing out about that, and press & policy makers have enabled him.
He's spent his career lashing out about that, and press & policy makers have enabled him.
January 23, 2026 at 10:37 AM
Honestly completely irresponsible how press & policy makers rely on one man so obviously ideologically committed to a failed policy he drove through when he was special advisor to Willets.
He's spent his career lashing out about that, and press & policy makers have enabled him.
He's spent his career lashing out about that, and press & policy makers have enabled him.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Go get them!
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University begins High Court challenge against £585k free speech fine
The University of Sussex says the watchdog overstepped its legal powers in imposing the fine last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Go get them!
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by QM_UCU
A lot of people outside of Higher Education have very little idea of how physically and mentally demanding lecturing can be...and that's when all the other demands of the job are ignored.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
Phased return and reduced hours are hard. Some days I feel back to normal, over-do it and then end up shattered. Tomorrow will be a challenge with teaching 9-1, then 5-7 - that's my 6 hours for the day right there.
I really hope employers take note of the Birmingham HSE case on work-place stress.
I really hope employers take note of the Birmingham HSE case on work-place stress.
February 4, 2026 at 10:54 AM
A lot of people outside of Higher Education have very little idea of how physically and mentally demanding lecturing can be...and that's when all the other demands of the job are ignored.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
UK universities need more full time permanent staff.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Together we are stronger. Join the Union join.ucu.org.uk
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
February 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Together we are stronger. Join the Union join.ucu.org.uk
KENTWICH. come on. The one improvement that this merger could bring, not just staving off worse.
(VERY relieved to hear that the contracts & pensions stay!)
(VERY relieved to hear that the contracts & pensions stay!)
February 4, 2026 at 3:26 PM
KENTWICH. come on. The one improvement that this merger could bring, not just staving off worse.
(VERY relieved to hear that the contracts & pensions stay!)
(VERY relieved to hear that the contracts & pensions stay!)
Reposted by QM_UCU
Need advice about workload, sickness, performance management, or bullying/harassment? Birmingham UCU has trained caseworkers who can support you. Start by checking the ‘getting help’ section on our website:
Birmingham UCU
The University of Birmingham Branch of UCU
birminghamucu.org
February 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Need advice about workload, sickness, performance management, or bullying/harassment? Birmingham UCU has trained caseworkers who can support you. Start by checking the ‘getting help’ section on our website:
We're not known to sing the praises of VCs. But we unreservedly admire her clarity of purpose in this. So much easier to just let it pass by and get the institution to pay. So much more right to challenge this.
February 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
We're not known to sing the praises of VCs. But we unreservedly admire her clarity of purpose in this. So much easier to just let it pass by and get the institution to pay. So much more right to challenge this.
Reposted by QM_UCU
I am genuinely really pleased that Sussex under Sasha Roseneil has decided to fight this decision when many other VCs would have simply given in. The OfS decision is such a dangerous precedent for the sector
Stock resigned. So what is the point of this fine and whose interests does it serve?
Certainly not those of the students and staff at University of Sussex.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Certainly not those of the students and staff at University of Sussex.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University begins High Court challenge against £585k free speech fine
The University of Sussex says the watchdog overstepped its legal powers in imposing the fine last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:59 AM
I am genuinely really pleased that Sussex under Sasha Roseneil has decided to fight this decision when many other VCs would have simply given in. The OfS decision is such a dangerous precedent for the sector
Surely, SURELY, that's malpractice and whatever the outcome of the trial should lead to a complete overhaul of the regulatory system of #UKHE?
Add it to the pile that Parliament already has, and please, can the all-party group (e.g.: @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social?) do something? please?
Add it to the pile that Parliament already has, and please, can the all-party group (e.g.: @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social?) do something? please?
February 4, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Surely, SURELY, that's malpractice and whatever the outcome of the trial should lead to a complete overhaul of the regulatory system of #UKHE?
Add it to the pile that Parliament already has, and please, can the all-party group (e.g.: @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social?) do something? please?
Add it to the pile that Parliament already has, and please, can the all-party group (e.g.: @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social?) do something? please?
Reposted by QM_UCU
Finally the contracts are signed and the merger is set to take place in August. What will happen to staff at Kent and Greenwich? We keep asking but not much is forthcoming.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to become UK’s first ‘super-university’
Formal approval given for new university group to operate from August, with both institutions keeping their names
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:56 AM
Finally the contracts are signed and the merger is set to take place in August. What will happen to staff at Kent and Greenwich? We keep asking but not much is forthcoming.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by QM_UCU
Not just a university restructure but a coastal town losing its future.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
‘If I think about what this means, I want to cry’: what happens when a city loses its university?
When Essex University’s Southend campus opened, it was a message of hope for a ‘left behind’ UK seaside town. Its closure will be felt far beyond its 800 students, some of whom will not get their degr...
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Not just a university restructure but a coastal town losing its future.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
Rally tomorrow, 12–1pm, The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend (SS1 1NS).
Be there.
I loathe their Politics of Exhaustion. They just keep refusing to engage and do their actual job and assume we'll give up from frustration. It's infuriating we need to keep making them do their own job.
February 4, 2026 at 3:17 PM
I loathe their Politics of Exhaustion. They just keep refusing to engage and do their actual job and assume we'll give up from frustration. It's infuriating we need to keep making them do their own job.
Reposted by QM_UCU
'“You’ve got these silos between the different government departments dealing with higher education, research, business [and] skills,” he said. “They’re all doing their own thing and none of them are all concerned with geography, what goes on where.”' (Goddard) 2/2
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 AM
'“You’ve got these silos between the different government departments dealing with higher education, research, business [and] skills,” he said. “They’re all doing their own thing and none of them are all concerned with geography, what goes on where.”' (Goddard) 2/2
Reposted by QM_UCU
'John Goddard, emeritus professor of regional development studies at Newcastle University, said Labour’s devolution agenda can bring opportunities for expanding higher education provision in cold spots, but a lack of cohesion across government departments could be a barrier.' 1/2
Can new universities save left-behind towns and cities?
Fresh models of university outposts emerging in regions without access to higher education as financial crisis sees shuttering of traditional campuses
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:59 AM
'John Goddard, emeritus professor of regional development studies at Newcastle University, said Labour’s devolution agenda can bring opportunities for expanding higher education provision in cold spots, but a lack of cohesion across government departments could be a barrier.' 1/2
Reposted by QM_UCU
'As the regulator for all higher education providers in England, the outcome of the challenge against the OfS will have far-reaching implications for its ability to enforce freedom of speech and academic freedom at universities.'
Abolish the OfS, the metastisising cancer of English HE.
Abolish the OfS, the metastisising cancer of English HE.
University begins High Court challenge against £585k free speech fine
The University of Sussex says the watchdog overstepped its legal powers in imposing the fine last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 8:11 AM
'As the regulator for all higher education providers in England, the outcome of the challenge against the OfS will have far-reaching implications for its ability to enforce freedom of speech and academic freedom at universities.'
Abolish the OfS, the metastisising cancer of English HE.
Abolish the OfS, the metastisising cancer of English HE.
Go get them!
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
University begins High Court challenge against £585k free speech fine
The University of Sussex says the watchdog overstepped its legal powers in imposing the fine last year.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 4, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Go get them!
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Office for Students is the most ideological undermining of the notion of a “regulator” and through that higher education in general. Parliament deemed them not fit for purpose in 2023 yet somehow nothing has happened to rein them in. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Make them. There must be sympathetic ones who can be talked with? And others who can be made to see that their names are on this, and their board hopping comes with some public responsibility.
February 4, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Make them. There must be sympathetic ones who can be talked with? And others who can be made to see that their names are on this, and their board hopping comes with some public responsibility.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Solidarity with staff at Sheffield who are facing similar brutalising pay deductions for ASOS to those we have experienced @qmucu.bsky.social
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
@sheffielducu.bsky.social accuses managers of "bullying tactics" after staff told they will face further pay deductions for not rescheduling teaching missed during industrial action www.timeshighereducation.com/news/sheffie... via @julietterowsell.bsky.social
Sheffield strikers lose more pay for not rearranging teaching
University accuses staff of ‘breach of contract’ for failing to reorganise lectures lost during recent industrial action
www.timeshighereducation.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:34 AM
Solidarity with staff at Sheffield who are facing similar brutalising pay deductions for ASOS to those we have experienced @qmucu.bsky.social
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Punishing staff with 💯 pay deductions on days they are working but protecting their rights to take industrial action says a lot about failing uni leadership!
Reposted by QM_UCU
I’m really sorry, even having left this feels quite miserable to watch. I also find it deeply frustrating that at no point in this article anyone asks the question ”but how will you make this financially viable” because surely this must mean cuts somewhere
February 4, 2026 at 9:10 AM
I’m really sorry, even having left this feels quite miserable to watch. I also find it deeply frustrating that at no point in this article anyone asks the question ”but how will you make this financially viable” because surely this must mean cuts somewhere
Reposted by QM_UCU
Feel somewhat heartbroken tbh
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to become UK’s first ‘super-university’
Formal approval given for new university group to operate from August, with both institutions keeping their names
www.theguardian.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:24 AM
Feel somewhat heartbroken tbh
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
This is the promise that @universityofessex.bsky.social & government is betraying.
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
February 4, 2026 at 9:15 AM
This is the promise that @universityofessex.bsky.social & government is betraying.
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Excellent discussion of the impact of the closure of the Southend campus on the local community: www.theguardian.com/environment/...
yup. yup. yup. to all this by the brilliant @lboroucu.bsky.social members: our bosses WANT us atomised, you can see it in all their actions. They know they have to treat us better when we work together, as we have power that way.
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
February 3, 2026 at 4:01 PM
yup. yup. yup. to all this by the brilliant @lboroucu.bsky.social members: our bosses WANT us atomised, you can see it in all their actions. They know they have to treat us better when we work together, as we have power that way.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
February 3, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Stronger together ✊
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Hear from #LboroUCU members on why union membership matters and how we support each other.
Be part of it: ucu.lboro.ac.uk/join/
@ucu.org.uk #UCU #JoinAUnion
Reposted by QM_UCU
Also, maybe don't use this as an excuse to cut courses and programs that are currently profitable? And make faculty who bring in research funds redundant?
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Also, maybe don't use this as an excuse to cut courses and programs that are currently profitable? And make faculty who bring in research funds redundant?
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham
Seems, I don't know, obvious?
#stopthecuts #savehe #UCU #UoNUCU #UON #UniversityOfNottingham