UCU Westminster
@ucuwestminster.bsky.social
We are the trade union for academic and academic-related staff at University of Westminster. Find us on Instagram at @ucuwestminster.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Former Tory MP Penny Mordaunt’s claims that trade unions are “openly antisemitic” are false, dangerous and deeply irresponsible.
Trade unions have long stood against antisemitism and all forms of hate and continue to fight for equality, fairness and solidarity for all working people.
Trade unions have long stood against antisemitism and all forms of hate and continue to fight for equality, fairness and solidarity for all working people.
October 6, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Former Tory MP Penny Mordaunt’s claims that trade unions are “openly antisemitic” are false, dangerous and deeply irresponsible.
Trade unions have long stood against antisemitism and all forms of hate and continue to fight for equality, fairness and solidarity for all working people.
Trade unions have long stood against antisemitism and all forms of hate and continue to fight for equality, fairness and solidarity for all working people.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
UCU is horrified by the appalling attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur.
Our deepest condolences go to those who lost loved ones, and our solidarity to our Jewish members and the wider community.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
Our deepest condolences go to those who lost loved ones, and our solidarity to our Jewish members and the wider community.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
UCU statement on Manchester synagogue attack
UCU said it is horrified by the appalling attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur.
www.ucu.org.uk
October 3, 2025 at 1:32 PM
UCU is horrified by the appalling attack at the Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester during Yom Kippur.
Our deepest condolences go to those who lost loved ones, and our solidarity to our Jewish members and the wider community.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
Our deepest condolences go to those who lost loved ones, and our solidarity to our Jewish members and the wider community.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1421...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
"[S]hould private capital be allowed to profit from and control the direction of a British university?"
Guy Standing: How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
#UKHE
#HigherEd
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
Guy Standing: How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
#UKHE
#HigherEd
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
The government is standing by as foreign private equity firms buy up UK universities. This should be a major concern
www.opendemocracy.net
September 17, 2025 at 8:39 AM
"[S]hould private capital be allowed to profit from and control the direction of a British university?"
Guy Standing: How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
#UKHE
#HigherEd
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
Guy Standing: How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
#UKHE
#HigherEd
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Sorbonne University withdraws from the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
#HigherEd
www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/news/sorb...
#HigherEd
www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/news/sorb...
Sorbonne University decides to withdraw from the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings
As of 2026, Sorbonne University will no longer submit data to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. The decision comes as part of a wider approach to promote open science and ref...
www.sorbonne-universite.fr
September 16, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Sorbonne University withdraws from the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings.
#HigherEd
www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/news/sorb...
#HigherEd
www.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/news/sorb...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Universities are under attack. By defending ourselves, we are defending the whole sector.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
September 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Universities are under attack. By defending ourselves, we are defending the whole sector.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Our members at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social have voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions
Imperial can afford to pay its staff a fair wage and must do the right thing
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1418...
Imperial can afford to pay its staff a fair wage and must do the right thing
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1418...
Imperial staff vote for strike action in pay and conditions row
Staff at Imperial College London have voted to take industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions, the University and College Union announced today (Tuesday 16 September).
www.ucu.org.uk
September 16, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Our members at @imperialcollegeldn.bsky.social have voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay and conditions
Imperial can afford to pay its staff a fair wage and must do the right thing
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1418...
Imperial can afford to pay its staff a fair wage and must do the right thing
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1418...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
One does wonder why so many rich people seem so keen on buying universities if they're in as huge a financial pit as declared...
Almost as if, for some, none of this is about innovative research and critical education anymore?
Almost as if, for some, none of this is about innovative research and critical education anymore?
◻️
#universities
#financialisation
How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
--The government is standing by as foreign private equity firms buy up UK universities. This should be a major concern
Guy Standing, OpenDemocracy, 16 Sept 2025
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
#universities
#financialisation
How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
--The government is standing by as foreign private equity firms buy up UK universities. This should be a major concern
Guy Standing, OpenDemocracy, 16 Sept 2025
www.opendemocracy.net/en/private-e...
How financialisation is corroding education in the UK
The government is standing by as foreign private equity firms buy up UK universities. This should be a major concern
www.opendemocracy.net
September 16, 2025 at 7:13 PM
One does wonder why so many rich people seem so keen on buying universities if they're in as huge a financial pit as declared...
Almost as if, for some, none of this is about innovative research and critical education anymore?
Almost as if, for some, none of this is about innovative research and critical education anymore?
Reposted by UCU Westminster
UK university staff: have any of your employers issued a formal communication (either by exec or line management) or any message to staff concerning the far-right protest on Saturday in London?
(feel free to DM if you'd rather not elaborate on main, also "yes/no" is enough)
(feel free to DM if you'd rather not elaborate on main, also "yes/no" is enough)
September 15, 2025 at 4:32 PM
UK university staff: have any of your employers issued a formal communication (either by exec or line management) or any message to staff concerning the far-right protest on Saturday in London?
(feel free to DM if you'd rather not elaborate on main, also "yes/no" is enough)
(feel free to DM if you'd rather not elaborate on main, also "yes/no" is enough)
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Strike action is ON!!!
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
September 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Strike action is ON!!!
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
Reposted by UCU Westminster
In the 1950s-60s, British fascists, such as Oswald Mosley, were invited to speak at various university campuses. They used these invitations to portray themselves as part of a legitimate debate (while also courting infamy), but their speeches were often opposed.
hatfulofhistory.com/2021/06/06/w...
hatfulofhistory.com/2021/06/06/w...
When the fascists went to university (and the campaigns to keep them out)
Recently there have been several mentions of Oswald Mosley being invited to speak at universities in the early 1960s. One from a piece in The Times opining for the ‘lost days of campus free s…
hatfulofhistory.com
September 13, 2025 at 9:26 AM
In the 1950s-60s, British fascists, such as Oswald Mosley, were invited to speak at various university campuses. They used these invitations to portray themselves as part of a legitimate debate (while also courting infamy), but their speeches were often opposed.
hatfulofhistory.com/2021/06/06/w...
hatfulofhistory.com/2021/06/06/w...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Commission’s 72-page legal analysis cites examples including scale of killings, aid blockages and forced displacement
*
Middle East crisis – live updates
A UN commission of inquiry concluded on Tuesday that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza and that top Israeli officials including the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, had incited these acts.
It cited examples of the scale of the killings, aid blockages, forced displacement and the destruction of a fertility clinic to back up its genocide finding, adding its voice to rights groups and others that have reached the same conclusion. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Israel has committed genocide in Gaza, says UN inquiry
Solidarity to Leicester UCU in the fight to save jobs and stop course closures! An injury to one is an injury to all!
Leicester UCU will be on strike from Monday 29 September until Friday 17 October.
September 12, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Solidarity to Leicester UCU in the fight to save jobs and stop course closures! An injury to one is an injury to all!
Reposted by UCU Westminster
As a union, we have been fighting employers’ attempts at making 100% pay deductions for ASOS legal since 2019. As a branch, we’ve been at the forefront of that fight since 2022.
Our own union going against our policies, workers’ interest, and legal cases hurts.
Letter: qmucu.org/2025/09/12/l...
Our own union going against our policies, workers’ interest, and legal cases hurts.
Letter: qmucu.org/2025/09/12/l...
September 12, 2025 at 10:12 AM
As a union, we have been fighting employers’ attempts at making 100% pay deductions for ASOS legal since 2019. As a branch, we’ve been at the forefront of that fight since 2022.
Our own union going against our policies, workers’ interest, and legal cases hurts.
Letter: qmucu.org/2025/09/12/l...
Our own union going against our policies, workers’ interest, and legal cases hurts.
Letter: qmucu.org/2025/09/12/l...
Reposted by UCU Westminster
'"You can’t have hobbyist research that’s unfunded going on in institutions. We can’t afford it.”'
Such a badly formulated phrasing of the issues, so open to so many misinterpretations. If this is the level of thinking about research among sector leaders and policy-makers, be very afraid.
Such a badly formulated phrasing of the issues, so open to so many misinterpretations. If this is the level of thinking about research among sector leaders and policy-makers, be very afraid.
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ .
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...
Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ - Research Professional News
Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”
www.researchprofessionalnews.com
September 12, 2025 at 6:57 AM
'"You can’t have hobbyist research that’s unfunded going on in institutions. We can’t afford it.”'
Such a badly formulated phrasing of the issues, so open to so many misinterpretations. If this is the level of thinking about research among sector leaders and policy-makers, be very afraid.
Such a badly formulated phrasing of the issues, so open to so many misinterpretations. If this is the level of thinking about research among sector leaders and policy-makers, be very afraid.
All UCU branch committees should consider supporting this statement.
Solidarity to Unite UCU.
Solidarity to Unite UCU.
Sometimes solutions are easy @drjogrady.bsky.social & @ucu.org.uk
Let’s sit down and talk without conditions or threats that damage everyone. It’s time to resolve this dispute.
Our statement, with support from the following branch committees:
Let’s sit down and talk without conditions or threats that damage everyone. It’s time to resolve this dispute.
Our statement, with support from the following branch committees:
September 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
All UCU branch committees should consider supporting this statement.
Solidarity to Unite UCU.
Solidarity to Unite UCU.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
No university staff should be left anxious and in the dark.
We stand with @ucukent staff demanding reassurance and protection for jobs.
Show your support to colleagues at Kent ✊
We stand with @ucukent staff demanding reassurance and protection for jobs.
Show your support to colleagues at Kent ✊
I don't think any members of staff are happy right now. We need reassurance and a period of normality where we're not scared our jobs will be cut.
September 11, 2025 at 12:04 PM
No university staff should be left anxious and in the dark.
We stand with @ucukent staff demanding reassurance and protection for jobs.
Show your support to colleagues at Kent ✊
We stand with @ucukent staff demanding reassurance and protection for jobs.
Show your support to colleagues at Kent ✊
Reposted by UCU Westminster
An unwelcome boost to our ongoing @sheffielducu.bsky.social industrial action ballot as our VC announces more work areas to be targeted by cuts.
It is unclear that this has much to do with finances, but is more an ideological push to change the University's "size and shape".
It is unclear that this has much to do with finances, but is more an ideological push to change the University's "size and shape".
September 11, 2025 at 11:13 AM
An unwelcome boost to our ongoing @sheffielducu.bsky.social industrial action ballot as our VC announces more work areas to be targeted by cuts.
It is unclear that this has much to do with finances, but is more an ideological push to change the University's "size and shape".
It is unclear that this has much to do with finances, but is more an ideological push to change the University's "size and shape".
Reposted by UCU Westminster
We're striking to stop budget cuts and mass redundancies and standing up for the future of our students' education. There is no deficit.
September 10, 2025 at 11:20 AM
We're striking to stop budget cuts and mass redundancies and standing up for the future of our students' education. There is no deficit.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
At #TUC2025, UCU President Maria Chondragianni challenged Labour on higher education:
“The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.”
✊ We will keep holding Labour to account.
#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
“The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.”
✊ We will keep holding Labour to account.
#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
September 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM
At #TUC2025, UCU President Maria Chondragianni challenged Labour on higher education:
“The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.”
✊ We will keep holding Labour to account.
#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
“The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.”
✊ We will keep holding Labour to account.
#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
Reposted by UCU Westminster
This is the best thing anyone working in UK Higher Education can do today, particularly if you're at Kent or Greenwich.
As a union we're stronger together.
Support your local branch.
As a union we're stronger together.
Support your local branch.
Join the Union ASAP.
September 10, 2025 at 1:27 PM
This is the best thing anyone working in UK Higher Education can do today, particularly if you're at Kent or Greenwich.
As a union we're stronger together.
Support your local branch.
As a union we're stronger together.
Support your local branch.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
There is no trade-off between pay and jobs. Don't let the employers fool you otherwise. This dispute is on three things:
1.Pay uplift = at least RPI+3.5% or £2,500, on all pay points
2.Protection of national agreements on T&C's
3.A national agreement to protect jobs & subjects
#WeAreTheUniversity
1.Pay uplift = at least RPI+3.5% or £2,500, on all pay points
2.Protection of national agreements on T&C's
3.A national agreement to protect jobs & subjects
#WeAreTheUniversity
VCs don’t run universities.
We do.
After another real terms pay cut, UCU is launching a UK-wide strike ballot.
Ballot opens October.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
We do.
After another real terms pay cut, UCU is launching a UK-wide strike ballot.
Ballot opens October.
Vote YES.
#WeAreTheUniversity
September 10, 2025 at 12:20 PM
There is no trade-off between pay and jobs. Don't let the employers fool you otherwise. This dispute is on three things:
1.Pay uplift = at least RPI+3.5% or £2,500, on all pay points
2.Protection of national agreements on T&C's
3.A national agreement to protect jobs & subjects
#WeAreTheUniversity
1.Pay uplift = at least RPI+3.5% or £2,500, on all pay points
2.Protection of national agreements on T&C's
3.A national agreement to protect jobs & subjects
#WeAreTheUniversity
Reposted by UCU Westminster
We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
September 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
Reposted by UCU Westminster
What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join
We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
September 10, 2025 at 11:53 AM
What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join
Reposted by UCU Westminster
Kentwich may have come without any (required?) consultation of staff and trade unions, but that isn't stopping branches from getting to work and ensuring staff gets represented and acts together. 🫶
Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!
Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!
What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join
We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.
September 10, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Kentwich may have come without any (required?) consultation of staff and trade unions, but that isn't stopping branches from getting to work and ensuring staff gets represented and acts together. 🫶
Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!
Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!