Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Being disabled shouldn’t mean you’re on a lower wage, or that you’re afraid to ask for support at work because it could hit you financially.
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Being disabled shouldn’t mean you’re on a lower wage, or that you’re afraid to ask for support at work because it could hit you financially.
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
Having a reasonable adjustment should never lead to a pay cut.
But this is what’s happening to some UCU staff right now.
Short 🧵
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
📣 UWS HAS RULED OUT COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES
After 8 days of strike action from EIS, and a further 12 days planned from Monday which UCU were due to join, management has today announced that CR has been taken off the table 🎉
After 8 days of strike action from EIS, and a further 12 days planned from Monday which UCU were due to join, management has today announced that CR has been taken off the table 🎉
October 21, 2025 at 7:40 AM
📣 UWS HAS RULED OUT COMPULSORY REDUNDANCIES
After 8 days of strike action from EIS, and a further 12 days planned from Monday which UCU were due to join, management has today announced that CR has been taken off the table 🎉
After 8 days of strike action from EIS, and a further 12 days planned from Monday which UCU were due to join, management has today announced that CR has been taken off the table 🎉
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Sheffield is the university with the third biggest increase in student recruitment, by the way. In case anyone was still under any impression that there was anything genuine about declarations that staff just has to recruit more undergraduates to salvage their job. thetab.com/2025/08/18/t...
August 27, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Sheffield is the university with the third biggest increase in student recruitment, by the way. In case anyone was still under any impression that there was anything genuine about declarations that staff just has to recruit more undergraduates to salvage their job. thetab.com/2025/08/18/t...
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Ballot papers drop today for local industrial action to defend jobs at the University of Sheffield against redundancy and further workload pressures.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
Strike ballot opens at University of Sheffield staff over job cuts
Staff at the University of Sheffield are being asked to vote for strike action, announced the University and College Union (UCU) today. The ballot opened yesterday and will close on Tuesday 30 September.
www.ucu.org.uk
August 27, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Ballot papers drop today for local industrial action to defend jobs at the University of Sheffield against redundancy and further workload pressures.
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
MAYBE DON’T EMAIL ME AT THE WEEKEND, THEN.
July 12, 2025 at 2:14 PM
MAYBE DON’T EMAIL ME AT THE WEEKEND, THEN.
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Deeply ashamed of my union behaving like the bosses we fight. Imposition, victimisation and union-busting needs to stop right now @ucu.org.uk. Solidarity with UCU Unite staff ✊
😡 Imposition, not negotiated agreement
😡 Victimisation of reps
😡 Refusal to engage with the recognised union
☣️ All signs of a toxic organisational culture & not what we should see from a union employer.
Shame on @ucu.org.uk whose staff deserve so much better
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/06/12/1...
😡 Victimisation of reps
😡 Refusal to engage with the recognised union
☣️ All signs of a toxic organisational culture & not what we should see from a union employer.
Shame on @ucu.org.uk whose staff deserve so much better
uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/06/12/1...
Safe & Professional Workplace Culture Dispute – Branch Update
A week ago today, SMT announced that they were walking away from ACAS talks. This came as a surprise to us given that it was our view, and the view of the ACAS conciliator, that we were progressing…
uniteucu.wordpress.com
June 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Deeply ashamed of my union behaving like the bosses we fight. Imposition, victimisation and union-busting needs to stop right now @ucu.org.uk. Solidarity with UCU Unite staff ✊
Our day of strike was powerful & positive. Back at work today for 2 days, & we have asked SMT to meet with us.
We are willing to meaningfully negotiate. If they aren’t willing to do the same we will be back out for the next 2 weeks - knocking out the end of the teaching term & crucial admin work.
We are willing to meaningfully negotiate. If they aren’t willing to do the same we will be back out for the next 2 weeks - knocking out the end of the teaching term & crucial admin work.
Huge rally of staff and students today rejecting cuts at Sheffield 💥
May 1, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Our day of strike was powerful & positive. Back at work today for 2 days, & we have asked SMT to meet with us.
We are willing to meaningfully negotiate. If they aren’t willing to do the same we will be back out for the next 2 weeks - knocking out the end of the teaching term & crucial admin work.
We are willing to meaningfully negotiate. If they aren’t willing to do the same we will be back out for the next 2 weeks - knocking out the end of the teaching term & crucial admin work.
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
This explains why I will not be attending NEC on Friday. This dispute has to be resolved if we are to stand a chance of addressing the multiple crises in post 16 education. And a union management should practice what it preaches reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
Statement on NEC Meeting of 2 May 2025
On Friday, members of Unite UCU will be taking the final day of an unprecedented six weeks of industrial action. It is also the penultimate NEC meeting before Congress. One of the core principles o…
reclaimucu.wordpress.com
April 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
This explains why I will not be attending NEC on Friday. This dispute has to be resolved if we are to stand a chance of addressing the multiple crises in post 16 education. And a union management should practice what it preaches reclaimucu.wordpress.com/2025/04/30/s...
This is so grim and hits especially hard in a week that we’re also on strike. Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
UCU accused of ‘silencing’ staff as internal rows turn ‘toxic’.
@ucu.org.uk #ReclaimUCU, #ShameOnYou @drjogrady.bsky.social. #Solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, @lucyburkemcr.bsky.social, @vickyblake.bsky.social 🌐📚🔍🤓✊
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
@ucu.org.uk #ReclaimUCU, #ShameOnYou @drjogrady.bsky.social. #Solidarity with @uniteucu.bsky.social, @lucyburkemcr.bsky.social, @vickyblake.bsky.social 🌐📚🔍🤓✊
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/ucu-acc...
UCU accused of ‘silencing’ staff as internal rows turn ‘toxic’
Use of ‘hypocritical’ confidentiality agreements by UK’s biggest academic union criticised, with increasingly disgruntled staff set to stage rally outside own offices
www.timeshighereducation.com
May 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM
This is so grim and hits especially hard in a week that we’re also on strike. Solidarity @uniteucu.bsky.social
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Huge rally of staff and students today rejecting cuts at Sheffield 💥
April 30, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Huge rally of staff and students today rejecting cuts at Sheffield 💥
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
I don't work on a Wednesday but if I was I would be on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social - for no compulsory redundancies in the morale-destroying restructures that are currently underway. Solidarity with everyone picketing
April 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
I don't work on a Wednesday but if I was I would be on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social - for no compulsory redundancies in the morale-destroying restructures that are currently underway. Solidarity with everyone picketing
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Our members out in force today! 👊
April 30, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Our members out in force today! 👊
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Tomorrow our members are taking strike action to say no to job cuts! 💪
Join our picket lines from 8:30am, as well as various teach outs from 10am, and a Demo on the SU Concourse from Midday. 📣
Join our picket lines from 8:30am, as well as various teach outs from 10am, and a Demo on the SU Concourse from Midday. 📣
April 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Tomorrow our members are taking strike action to say no to job cuts! 💪
Join our picket lines from 8:30am, as well as various teach outs from 10am, and a Demo on the SU Concourse from Midday. 📣
Join our picket lines from 8:30am, as well as various teach outs from 10am, and a Demo on the SU Concourse from Midday. 📣
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
📣📣 We have notified our employer of 10 days of escalating & hard hitting strike action to hit the last three weeks of teaching (30th April - 16th May).
April 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
📣📣 We have notified our employer of 10 days of escalating & hard hitting strike action to hit the last three weeks of teaching (30th April - 16th May).
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
A very thorough critique of UCU senior mgmt's planned restructure from the recognised union of UCU staff. It will also be of signfiicant concern to members.
As UCU staff+Unite member, I've also read some of the employer's perspective. It's much vaguer & includes no salient points not addressed here.
As UCU staff+Unite member, I've also read some of the employer's perspective. It's much vaguer & includes no salient points not addressed here.
After our employer refused to pause their restructure until the agreed Organisational Review is complete, we produced a critique of their plans based on members’ feedback. This includes initial analysis of the impact on delivery of support for UCU members.
drive.google.com/file/d/1QNf6...
drive.google.com/file/d/1QNf6...
Unite_ 2024 restructure critique.pdf
drive.google.com
December 18, 2024 at 1:49 PM
A very thorough critique of UCU senior mgmt's planned restructure from the recognised union of UCU staff. It will also be of signfiicant concern to members.
As UCU staff+Unite member, I've also read some of the employer's perspective. It's much vaguer & includes no salient points not addressed here.
As UCU staff+Unite member, I've also read some of the employer's perspective. It's much vaguer & includes no salient points not addressed here.
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
In a well attended General Meeting yesterday, Sheffield UCU members unanimously voted to lodge a Collective Grievance with the University in relation to the risk of compulsory redundancies across the institution.
December 13, 2024 at 12:39 PM
In a well attended General Meeting yesterday, Sheffield UCU members unanimously voted to lodge a Collective Grievance with the University in relation to the risk of compulsory redundancies across the institution.
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
While we were striking we were keeping the posties busy with our reballot. We will keep fighting for a safe & professional workplace.
#BackTheBallot #ReclaimUCU 🚀
#BackTheBallot #ReclaimUCU 🚀
December 12, 2024 at 11:09 AM
While we were striking we were keeping the posties busy with our reballot. We will keep fighting for a safe & professional workplace.
#BackTheBallot #ReclaimUCU 🚀
#BackTheBallot #ReclaimUCU 🚀
Solidarity to all @uniteucu.bsky.social members on strike today ✊ #PowerToYourElbow
December 9, 2024 at 7:35 PM
Solidarity to all @uniteucu.bsky.social members on strike today ✊ #PowerToYourElbow
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
December 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Last week, 944 University of Sheffield staff and postgraduate researchers took part in a vote in which 93.3% had “no confidence” in the university’s executive board.
A no confidence vote, courses in the firing line, and “gaming” the rankings
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/p/a-no-confi...
A no confidence vote, courses in the firing line, and “gaming” the rankings
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/p/a-no-confi...
A no confidence vote, courses in the firing line, and “gaming” the rankings
Things go from bad to worse at the University of Sheffield
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk
November 22, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Last week, 944 University of Sheffield staff and postgraduate researchers took part in a vote in which 93.3% had “no confidence” in the university’s executive board.
A no confidence vote, courses in the firing line, and “gaming” the rankings
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/p/a-no-confi...
A no confidence vote, courses in the firing line, and “gaming” the rankings
www.sheffieldtribune.co.uk/p/a-no-confi...
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Various activities on Uni of Sheff campus next week leading up to International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (Friday 29th).
On the 29th there will be a vigil for Palestinian students and staff who have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide. From midday on SU Concourse 🍉
On the 29th there will be a vigil for Palestinian students and staff who have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide. From midday on SU Concourse 🍉
November 21, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Various activities on Uni of Sheff campus next week leading up to International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (Friday 29th).
On the 29th there will be a vigil for Palestinian students and staff who have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide. From midday on SU Concourse 🍉
On the 29th there will be a vigil for Palestinian students and staff who have been killed in the ongoing Israeli genocide. From midday on SU Concourse 🍉
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Pretty galling to have to continuously read about these redundancies in the publications that helped create the conditions for this situation through their continuous promotion of bullshit rankings.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
University job cuts to ‘hit 10,000 by year end’ despite fee rise
English fee rise does little to relieve pressure on institutions, with increased staff costs likely to swallow additional funding
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2024 at 9:53 AM
Pretty galling to have to continuously read about these redundancies in the publications that helped create the conditions for this situation through their continuous promotion of bullshit rankings.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/univers...
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
Thank you @julietterowsell.bsky.social for addressing the elephant in the #UKHE room! The instability and shorttermism that’s been so destructive won’t stop until we’ve got dom number controls in place again.
Is it time to reintroduce student number controls in England?
The removal of recruitment caps in 2015 was hailed by ministers as a boon. But the tuition fee’s declining value and the Russell Group’s ever-growing market share now threaten the viability of some institutions
The removal of recruitment caps in 2015 was hailed by ministers as a boon. But the tuition fee’s declining value and the Russell Group’s ever-growing market share now threaten the viability of some institutions
Is it time to reintroduce student number controls in England?
The removal of recruitment caps in 2015 was hailed by ministers as a boon to institutions’ and students’ ambitions. But the tuition fee’s declining value and the Russell Group’s ever-growing market sh...
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 21, 2024 at 8:34 AM
Thank you @julietterowsell.bsky.social for addressing the elephant in the #UKHE room! The instability and shorttermism that’s been so destructive won’t stop until we’ve got dom number controls in place again.
Reposted by Robyn Orfitelli
We made a starter pack!
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj
November 16, 2024 at 1:23 PM
We made a starter pack!
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj
It’s got all the formal branch and commitee presences we could find so far for #UCU - please let us know if your branch / regional committee / other formal elected committee is missing and we’ll do our best to keep it up to date! (No individuals on here) go.bsky.app/H8xiSXj