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
'“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...
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
Reposted by QM_UCU
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
Funny* how often that seems to be the other way round.
*not funny at all.
*not funny at all.
And I'm also not in charge of the university, but I also feel like maybe the people who are in charge of making financial choices for the university should be the ones who face the consequences of these horrible decisions. Not staff, not students, not faculty, not the community.
February 3, 2026 at 3:59 PM
Funny* how often that seems to be the other way round.
*not funny at all.
*not funny at all.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Now I'm not an economist, but I feel like this is not great economic news.
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Now I'm not an economist, but I feel like this is not great economic news.
The vicitimisation of trade union activists affects us all. Even more so when it's done *by our own union* 🤯
Sending much solidarity to @uniteucu.bsky.social & asking everyone to write to the GS to put an end to this. (and
@tuc.org.uk, please have a word...) #HandsOffMarie
Sending much solidarity to @uniteucu.bsky.social & asking everyone to write to the GS to put an end to this. (and
@tuc.org.uk, please have a word...) #HandsOffMarie
📣 Hands off Marie!
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 7:36 PM
The vicitimisation of trade union activists affects us all. Even more so when it's done *by our own union* 🤯
Sending much solidarity to @uniteucu.bsky.social & asking everyone to write to the GS to put an end to this. (and
@tuc.org.uk, please have a word...) #HandsOffMarie
Sending much solidarity to @uniteucu.bsky.social & asking everyone to write to the GS to put an end to this. (and
@tuc.org.uk, please have a word...) #HandsOffMarie
Reposted by QM_UCU
📣 Hands off Marie!
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 2:15 PM
📣 Hands off Marie!
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
Tell @drjogrady.bsky.social and @ucu.org.uk to stop victimising Unite UCU's safety rep.
✍️ jgrady@ucu.org.uk
#HandsOffMarie
#UniteTheUnion @unitetheunion.bsky.social
Reposted by QM_UCU
120 academic jobs at risk at London Met is a political choice, not an inevitability. Education workers and students deserve better than managed decline. Solidarity from Birmingham.
Union condemns London Met job cut plans and calls on supporters to attend rallies
UCU has today condemned plans by London Metropolitan University (London Met) to slash the jobs of 120 academic staff.
www.ucu.org.uk
February 1, 2026 at 9:55 AM
120 academic jobs at risk at London Met is a political choice, not an inevitability. Education workers and students deserve better than managed decline. Solidarity from Birmingham.
Reposted by QM_UCU
💪💪💪 @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social members start indefinite Action Short of a Strike @northumbriauni.bsky.social on 12 February. Strike Action is currently scheduled for...
February 2, 2026 at 9:52 AM
💪💪💪 @ucunorthumbria.bsky.social members start indefinite Action Short of a Strike @northumbriauni.bsky.social on 12 February. Strike Action is currently scheduled for...
Reposted by QM_UCU
This is the result of years of member action plus detailed work by UCU’s Superannuation Working Group and First Actuarial – a reminder that collective organising can deliver concrete gains for our pensions.
3/3
3/3
February 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
This is the result of years of member action plus detailed work by UCU’s Superannuation Working Group and First Actuarial – a reminder that collective organising can deliver concrete gains for our pensions.
3/3
3/3
Reposted by QM_UCU
That means fewer wild swings in contributions and less scope for pessimistic modelling to justify cuts, strengthening protection for our defined benefits and giving a clearer, more realistic view of the scheme’s long‑term health.
2/3
2/3
February 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
That means fewer wild swings in contributions and less scope for pessimistic modelling to justify cuts, strengthening protection for our defined benefits and giving a clearer, more realistic view of the scheme’s long‑term health.
2/3
2/3
Reposted by QM_UCU
USS has now agreed to adopt UCU’s proposed three‑leg valuation framework for 2026 – putting best‑estimate assumptions centre stage, making prudence more transparent, and prioritising contribution stability.
www.ucu.org.uk/artic...
1/3
www.ucu.org.uk/artic...
1/3
USS valuation methodology changes agreed - with more to do
The USS trustee board has recently concluded a review of the methodology to be used in the 2026 valuation and has confirmed that it intends to incorporate a number of UCU proposals.
www.ucu.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 3:37 PM
USS has now agreed to adopt UCU’s proposed three‑leg valuation framework for 2026 – putting best‑estimate assumptions centre stage, making prudence more transparent, and prioritising contribution stability.
www.ucu.org.uk/artic...
1/3
www.ucu.org.uk/artic...
1/3
Reposted by QM_UCU
Unions launch campaign to Save the Vet School through Unite, Unison, and University and College Union (UCU), staff at the University of Cambridge launch a campaign to save the Department of Veterinary Medicine. uniteuoc.org.uk/save-the-vet...
Save The Vet School - uniteuoc.org.uk
https://savethevetschool.co.uk NEWS! https://www.varsity.co.uk/news/30835
uniteuoc.org.uk
February 2, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Unions launch campaign to Save the Vet School through Unite, Unison, and University and College Union (UCU), staff at the University of Cambridge launch a campaign to save the Department of Veterinary Medicine. uniteuoc.org.uk/save-the-vet...
Colleagues were interviewed on BBC Radio 4 about @qmul.bsky.social's sudden escalation in taking down posters & threatening disciplinary action.
It is a great explanation of what's happening & its dangers.
Listen from 22min in: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or clipped: youtu.be/SJGnCrDaCf0?...
It is a great explanation of what's happening & its dangers.
Listen from 22min in: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or clipped: youtu.be/SJGnCrDaCf0?...
February 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Colleagues were interviewed on BBC Radio 4 about @qmul.bsky.social's sudden escalation in taking down posters & threatening disciplinary action.
It is a great explanation of what's happening & its dangers.
Listen from 22min in: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or clipped: youtu.be/SJGnCrDaCf0?...
It is a great explanation of what's happening & its dangers.
Listen from 22min in: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or clipped: youtu.be/SJGnCrDaCf0?...
Reposted by QM_UCU
400 jobs at risk. A campus set to close.
This film explains what’s happening at the University of Essex and why staff, students and the local community are organising to stop it.
📍 Southend rally | 5 February
This film explains what’s happening at the University of Essex and why staff, students and the local community are organising to stop it.
📍 Southend rally | 5 February
January 26, 2026 at 3:13 PM
400 jobs at risk. A campus set to close.
This film explains what’s happening at the University of Essex and why staff, students and the local community are organising to stop it.
📍 Southend rally | 5 February
This film explains what’s happening at the University of Essex and why staff, students and the local community are organising to stop it.
📍 Southend rally | 5 February
You need people to go to bother to study to have nurses, GPs, lawyers, architects, copy-editors, lab technicians, millions of other jobs that this country requires to function.
Your atomising selfishness is unbeffiting.
Your atomising selfishness is unbeffiting.
2026: Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves, "It is not right that people who don't go to university bear the cost for others to"
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
2020: That time Labour leader Keir Starmer said he would scrap university tuition fees
January 30, 2026 at 12:50 PM
You need people to go to bother to study to have nurses, GPs, lawyers, architects, copy-editors, lab technicians, millions of other jobs that this country requires to function.
Your atomising selfishness is unbeffiting.
Your atomising selfishness is unbeffiting.