University and College Union (UCU)
@ucu.org.uk
UK trade union for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and professional services staff in further education, higher education, prison education, and adult and community education.
“Less protecting Peter Mandelson and his cronies and more protecting Southend campus.”
Campuses are closing across the country. Communities are paying the price.
Campuses are closing across the country. Communities are paying the price.
February 8, 2026 at 9:07 AM
“Less protecting Peter Mandelson and his cronies and more protecting Southend campus.”
Campuses are closing across the country. Communities are paying the price.
Campuses are closing across the country. Communities are paying the price.
We are here and we are ready!
Get yourself down and show your support. ✊
The forum, Southend on Sea
Get yourself down and show your support. ✊
The forum, Southend on Sea
February 5, 2026 at 11:57 AM
We are here and we are ready!
Get yourself down and show your support. ✊
The forum, Southend on Sea
Get yourself down and show your support. ✊
The forum, Southend on Sea
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.
Forcing staff out of their pension scheme and threatening dismissal if they object is shameful. It’s fire & rehire by another name.
Show your support for staff at Southampton Solent University striking on 9 & 17 February to protect retirement security. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1439...
Show your support for staff at Southampton Solent University striking on 9 & 17 February to protect retirement security. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1439...
Southampton Solent strike begins next week in fight over fire & rehire pension attack
Staff at Southampton Solent University will take two days of strike action beginning next week after management forced staff out of their preferred pension scheme, and threatened to sack all those who...
www.ucu.org.uk
February 3, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Forcing staff out of their pension scheme and threatening dismissal if they object is shameful. It’s fire & rehire by another name.
Show your support for staff at Southampton Solent University striking on 9 & 17 February to protect retirement security. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1439...
Show your support for staff at Southampton Solent University striking on 9 & 17 February to protect retirement security. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1439...
📢 Staff on casualised contracts: have your say
UCU’s annual meeting takes place Sat 28 Feb (hybrid) at UCU HQ & on Zoom.
Share your voice and shape how we fight insecurity at work
Register by 17 Feb ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual...
UCU’s annual meeting takes place Sat 28 Feb (hybrid) at UCU HQ & on Zoom.
Share your voice and shape how we fight insecurity at work
Register by 17 Feb ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual...
Annual Meeting of Staff on Casualised Contracts 26
Saturday, 28 February 2026
ucu.wufoo.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:16 PM
📢 Staff on casualised contracts: have your say
UCU’s annual meeting takes place Sat 28 Feb (hybrid) at UCU HQ & on Zoom.
Share your voice and shape how we fight insecurity at work
Register by 17 Feb ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual...
UCU’s annual meeting takes place Sat 28 Feb (hybrid) at UCU HQ & on Zoom.
Share your voice and shape how we fight insecurity at work
Register by 17 Feb ucu.wufoo.com/forms/annual...
“Closing Southend means losing homegrown social workers people who understand this community.”
Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus.
🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend
Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus.
🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend
February 2, 2026 at 12:51 PM
“Closing Southend means losing homegrown social workers people who understand this community.”
Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus.
🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend
Join us this Thursday as we rally to stop the cuts and save Southend’s campus.
🕛 12:00–13:00 | 📍 The Forum, Elmer Square, Southend
Staff ,supporters and students gathered outside Firth Court today in solidarity with colleagues locked out and facing withheld pay after lawful strike action at
@sheffielducu
Punishment is not negotiation. ✊
@sheffielducu
Punishment is not negotiation. ✊
January 29, 2026 at 6:04 PM
Staff ,supporters and students gathered outside Firth Court today in solidarity with colleagues locked out and facing withheld pay after lawful strike action at
@sheffielducu
Punishment is not negotiation. ✊
@sheffielducu
Punishment is not negotiation. ✊
Staff cuts. Students in debt yet Vice-chancellor pay keeps soaring.
The mystery of Higher Education in the UK that no one seems to have the answer to.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
The mystery of Higher Education in the UK that no one seems to have the answer to.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
The university bosses getting rich while they’re cutting jobs
While academics are being let go and students are racking up debts, vice-chancellors are seeing their pay soar to astonishing levels
www.telegraph.co.uk
January 29, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Staff cuts. Students in debt yet Vice-chancellor pay keeps soaring.
The mystery of Higher Education in the UK that no one seems to have the answer to.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
The mystery of Higher Education in the UK that no one seems to have the answer to.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01...
Reposted by University and College Union (UCU)
Rally at Scottish Parliament @ducuuo.bsky.social on strike to protect jobs at Dundee. Union reps from Dundee, Aberdeen, Strathclyde and Edinburgh giving evidence to the Parliament's education committee on jobs, cuts and university governance #SaveHE #StopTheCuts
January 28, 2026 at 1:51 PM
Rally at Scottish Parliament @ducuuo.bsky.social on strike to protect jobs at Dundee. Union reps from Dundee, Aberdeen, Strathclyde and Edinburgh giving evidence to the Parliament's education committee on jobs, cuts and university governance #SaveHE #StopTheCuts
Edinburgh. Aberdeen. Dundee. Strathclyde. Different campuses same reality. Staff are stretched, students lose out.
#SaveOurUniversities #UCU #Scotland #HigherEducation
#SaveOurUniversities #UCU #Scotland #HigherEducation
January 29, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Edinburgh. Aberdeen. Dundee. Strathclyde. Different campuses same reality. Staff are stretched, students lose out.
#SaveOurUniversities #UCU #Scotland #HigherEducation
#SaveOurUniversities #UCU #Scotland #HigherEducation
Reposted by University and College Union (UCU)
the University of Essex marketing focuses a lot on the ‘rebellious’ ‘spirit of Essex’
turns out we, the people who work here, really do ‘believe in the power of change to create hope for a brighter future’
turns out we, the people who work here, really do ‘believe in the power of change to create hope for a brighter future’
“You can’t cut one in ten staff without damaging students and teaching.”
85% of University of Essex staff have voted for strike action over plans to cut 400 jobs and close the Southend campus.
Show your support and solidarity as they prepare to fight back.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1432...
85% of University of Essex staff have voted for strike action over plans to cut 400 jobs and close the Southend campus.
Show your support and solidarity as they prepare to fight back.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1432...
University of Essex staff vote for strike action in fight against job cuts
Staff at the University of Essex have voted to take industrial action in a dispute over plans axe 400 jobs, the University and College Union announced today
www.ucu.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:02 AM
the University of Essex marketing focuses a lot on the ‘rebellious’ ‘spirit of Essex’
turns out we, the people who work here, really do ‘believe in the power of change to create hope for a brighter future’
turns out we, the people who work here, really do ‘believe in the power of change to create hope for a brighter future’
Cutting 400 jobs at the University of Essex would hit students, teaching, research and the wider community.
Closing the Southend campus would be devastating for the town.
Staff strike 12–19 Feb.
Join the rallies: 5 Feb Southend an 12 Feb Colchester (12–1pm). Info ⬇️
Closing the Southend campus would be devastating for the town.
Staff strike 12–19 Feb.
Join the rallies: 5 Feb Southend an 12 Feb Colchester (12–1pm). Info ⬇️
University of Essex staff to strike in February in fight against job cuts
7 days of strikes will hit the University of Essex in February over plans to cut 400 jobs, the University and College Union (UCU) has announced today.
www.ucu.org.uk
January 29, 2026 at 8:25 AM
Cutting 400 jobs at the University of Essex would hit students, teaching, research and the wider community.
Closing the Southend campus would be devastating for the town.
Staff strike 12–19 Feb.
Join the rallies: 5 Feb Southend an 12 Feb Colchester (12–1pm). Info ⬇️
Closing the Southend campus would be devastating for the town.
Staff strike 12–19 Feb.
Join the rallies: 5 Feb Southend an 12 Feb Colchester (12–1pm). Info ⬇️
“These cuts are hitting the most vulnerable staff hardest.”
Sophia Woodman, @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social branch president explaining the reality of the crisis in HE to the Scottish Education Committee.
Sophia Woodman, @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social branch president explaining the reality of the crisis in HE to the Scottish Education Committee.
January 28, 2026 at 4:50 PM
“These cuts are hitting the most vulnerable staff hardest.”
Sophia Woodman, @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social branch president explaining the reality of the crisis in HE to the Scottish Education Committee.
Sophia Woodman, @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social branch president explaining the reality of the crisis in HE to the Scottish Education Committee.
Reposted by University and College Union (UCU)
Attention, Durham members! You've got 'til the end of the week to safely post your local ballot. Numbers keep climbing, but the more votes we get, the stronger a position we're in! Here's 12 good reasons to get that vote in!
Have you voted yet? – Durham UCU
durhamucu.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Attention, Durham members! You've got 'til the end of the week to safely post your local ballot. Numbers keep climbing, but the more votes we get, the stronger a position we're in! Here's 12 good reasons to get that vote in!
“Slashing the staff body like this is nothing short of academic vandalism.” @drjogrady.bsky.social
Stand with London Met staff and students at the rallies as they fight cuts to 120 jobs:
Tue 3 Feb (Holloway) 9–10 & 1–2
Wed 4 Feb (City) 9–10 & 1–2
Mon 9 Feb (Holloway) 1pm
Stand with London Met staff and students at the rallies as they fight cuts to 120 jobs:
Tue 3 Feb (Holloway) 9–10 & 1–2
Wed 4 Feb (City) 9–10 & 1–2
Mon 9 Feb (Holloway) 1pm
Union condemns London Met job cut plans and calls on supporters to attend rallies
The University and College Union has today condemned plans by London Metropolitan University (London Met) to slash the jobs of 120 academic staff.
www.ucu.org.uk
January 28, 2026 at 11:06 AM
“Slashing the staff body like this is nothing short of academic vandalism.” @drjogrady.bsky.social
Stand with London Met staff and students at the rallies as they fight cuts to 120 jobs:
Tue 3 Feb (Holloway) 9–10 & 1–2
Wed 4 Feb (City) 9–10 & 1–2
Mon 9 Feb (Holloway) 1pm
Stand with London Met staff and students at the rallies as they fight cuts to 120 jobs:
Tue 3 Feb (Holloway) 9–10 & 1–2
Wed 4 Feb (City) 9–10 & 1–2
Mon 9 Feb (Holloway) 1pm
Today we remember the millions murdered in the Holocaust, and in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, is a call to action to listen, learn and carry those lessons forward. Join us at 1pm (GMT) today for a UCU webinar.
This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, is a call to action to listen, learn and carry those lessons forward. Join us at 1pm (GMT) today for a UCU webinar.
📅 Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 Join our webinar on Tue 27 Jan, 13:00- 14:00 (Zoom) with Prof Eve Rosenhaft from the University of Liverpool.
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: UCU Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 - Lunchtime webinar . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The Genocide of Europe’s Roma
Between the 1930s and 1945, Romani people across Europe faced internment, forced labour, sterilisation, deportation, and mass murder under Nazi rule—violence rooted in lo...
us02web.zoom.us
January 27, 2026 at 10:49 AM
Today we remember the millions murdered in the Holocaust, and in the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, is a call to action to listen, learn and carry those lessons forward. Join us at 1pm (GMT) today for a UCU webinar.
This year’s theme, Bridging Generations, is a call to action to listen, learn and carry those lessons forward. Join us at 1pm (GMT) today for a UCU webinar.
“Children and students in Palestine deserve access to education and educators should be safe to teach and research, without fear and oppression.” @drjogrady.bsky.social
Union condemns treatment of education leaders on Palestine visit
The University and College Union (UCU) has today condemned the blocking by Israel of a delegation of education leaders trying to visit Palestine as part of International Day of Education.
www.ucu.org.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:29 AM
“Children and students in Palestine deserve access to education and educators should be safe to teach and research, without fear and oppression.” @drjogrady.bsky.social
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
Blocking an international education delegation from entering Palestine, including our general secretary Jo Grady, is an attack on education and international solidarity.
UCU stands with Palestinian educators, students and their unions and with the Palestinian people.
UCU stands with Palestinian educators, students and their unions and with the Palestinian people.
📣Education International sends a strong message to #Palestinian educators after a delegation of education leaders from 15 countries was detained and interrogated for hours.
‼️Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination and solidarity.
‼️Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination and solidarity.
January 24, 2026 at 12:53 PM
Blocking an international education delegation from entering Palestine, including our general secretary Jo Grady, is an attack on education and international solidarity.
UCU stands with Palestinian educators, students and their unions and with the Palestinian people.
UCU stands with Palestinian educators, students and their unions and with the Palestinian people.
Freezing pay to force staff out of their pension is unacceptable. Northumbria must rethink its plans before lasting damage is done.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Northumbria University staff vote for strike action in pay and pensions row
Staff at Northumbria University have voted to take industrial action over plans to pressure them to leave the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS), the University and College Union (UCU) announced today .
www.ucu.org.uk
January 23, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Freezing pay to force staff out of their pension is unacceptable. Northumbria must rethink its plans before lasting damage is done.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Utterly wild behaviour from management.
Cutting hard earned pensions based on ‘vibes’ is as terrifying as it is absurd.
Cutting hard earned pensions based on ‘vibes’ is as terrifying as it is absurd.
Management @northumbriauni.bsky.social apparently have no plans for what they'll do with the money they steal from staff pay and pensions. Why steal it then? @josephinecumbo.bsky.social @danhollandnews.bsky.social @ucu.org.uk @helendalby.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Utterly wild behaviour from management.
Cutting hard earned pensions based on ‘vibes’ is as terrifying as it is absurd.
Cutting hard earned pensions based on ‘vibes’ is as terrifying as it is absurd.
Brilliant to see the solidarity here!
January 23, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Brilliant to see the solidarity here!
📅 Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 Join our webinar on Tue 27 Jan, 13:00- 14:00 (Zoom) with Prof Eve Rosenhaft from the University of Liverpool.
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: UCU Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 - Lunchtime webinar . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
The Genocide of Europe’s Roma
Between the 1930s and 1945, Romani people across Europe faced internment, forced labour, sterilisation, deportation, and mass murder under Nazi rule—violence rooted in lo...
us02web.zoom.us
January 23, 2026 at 11:29 AM
📅 Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 Join our webinar on Tue 27 Jan, 13:00- 14:00 (Zoom) with Prof Eve Rosenhaft from the University of Liverpool.
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
The University of Sheffield has stopped paying staff.
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Union condemns continued docking of staff pay following strike action at University of Sheffield
The University and College Union (UCU) has today condemned the lockout and withholding of staff pay at the University of Sheffield following lawful industrial action
www.ucu.org.uk
January 22, 2026 at 2:34 PM
The University of Sheffield has stopped paying staff.
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for.
This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...