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ulivucu.bsky.social
@ulivucu.bsky.social
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ulivucu.bsky.social
Please see our letter to the VC following the Supreme Court ruling on gender definition
Dear Vice-chancellor, We are all aware of the news of the Supreme Court ruling of 16th April 2025, which declared that sex in the Equality Act 2010 refers to sex assigned at birth, regardless of whether the individual is trans or if they possess a Gender Recognition Certificate. The Statement issued to the House of Commons by Bridget Phillipson on 22nd April 2025 also stated that trans people must use single sex spaces that align with their sex assigned at birth. No mention or guidance has been given for intersex people/people with differences of sex development, for whom the sex written on their birth certificate may not match either their chromosomal or hormonal sex, or their gender appearance or identity. Further, both the Supreme Court judgement and the interim update provided by the Equality and Human Rights Commission allow for the exclusion of transmasculine people from female single sex spaces, leaving this group with the possibility of no facilities or service provision at all. It should be noted that the interim guidance does not represent law at this stage, although it is being presented through the media as having the legitimacy of a legal change. The ruling and guidance contradict current practice at the University, which allows all staff and students to use the gendered spaces that are most appropriate to them. This right has been enshrined in law since the Gender Recognition Act of 2004 and further elaborated in the Equality Act 2010. These Acts remain law despite the recent developments. This ruling is in direct contradiction to the basic human rights and dignity of trans, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, intersex, and other gender-diverse staff and students and is likely to lead to a rise in discrimination, harassment, and hate crimes against these groups. Following a large UCU member meeting that discussed this issue and strongly passed a motion in favour of protecting transgender staff and students, I am writing to you today to express our concerns regarding the position of trans and nonbinary staff at the University. The provision of support services currently available for trans, nonbinary and LGBTQ+ staff is noted and appreciated. However, the impact of the Supreme Court’s ruling is considerable and has predictably unleashed a torrent of negative tabloid comment, hate-speech and personal harassment against trans and nonbinary people in our society. There is also some evidence of this being reflected at the University, based upon reports we are getting. One example involves signage for gender-neutral toilets being furtively removed, and then removed again despite having been replaced. (This has been reported and is being investigated). In this very difficult climate, it is clear that trans and nonbinary staff need public support from their employer that signals a zero-tolerance policy regarding this type of discrimination, bullying and harassment behaviour. An immediate problem these staff now face, is that of the toilet, shower and changing spaces available and accessible for them at work. A clear and unambiguous statement from the University, signalling its commitment to maintaining rights of access and use of these spaces based upon the individual’s self-identified gender, is urgently needed at this time. Further to this, we urge the University to develop and publish trans-inclusive staff policies that will protect gender-diverse staff at work as a matter of urgency, to maintain the University as a place of support, safety and inclusivity for trans and nonbinary staff.
April 28, 2025 at 10:21 AM
ulivucu.bsky.social
We unequivocally support UCU staff on strike today! They have been so supportive, knowledgeable and hard working for our branch over the years. We can always count on them to have our backs. It's time to have theirs. Read our branch statement to Jo Grady the GS too. It's time to resolve this dispute
Dear Jo, I am writing on behalf of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU regarding the current dispute between UCU staff (members of Unite) and UCU as their employer. We have been following the dispute closely and we are supportive of the Unite members and see their issues as legitimate and serious. The fact that these longstanding issues involve bullying, and the unequal treatment of black staff is especially dismaying. These behaviours undermine the core principles of what trade unions are built on and have caused reputational harm to UCU within the wider trade union movement. The support provided by UCU staff is vital to the normal functioning of local branches. In particular, the support, advice, and commitment we have received in our current dispute from regional officers and other staff has been exemplary. Along with many other branches currently in dispute, we urgently need these staff to be able to do their work in conditions that are equal, fair, and reasonable. We urge senior managers in UCU to remain in talks with Unite and to resolve this dispute as a matter of urgency, in the spirit of good faith, solidarity and the union values we all share. Mark O’Brien, Branch President A group of people stood outside ucu Liverpool University office waving red Unite the Union flags in front of the University of Liverpool ucu banner which has the pink ucu logo and a blue silhouette of the Liverpool skyline A group of people stood outside ucu Liverpool University office waving red Unite the Union flags in front of the University of Liverpool ucu banner which has the pink ucu logo and a blue silhouette of the Liverpool skyline
April 25, 2025 at 12:53 PM
ulivucu.bsky.social
University of Liverpool / LSTM UCU support trans people unequivocally. Solidarity to trans and non-binary people everywhere. We are working now on how best to support or trans and nb members 🙏🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍⚧️
A graphic of a trans rights flag (white centre horizontal stripe with light pink stripes on both sides and light blue stripes both sides of that) saying 'ucu supports trans rights. Trans men are men trans women are women and non binary people exist
April 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM
ulivucu.bsky.social
#FreePalestine
Graphic with Palestine flag background and black text on a red square. It says 'University of Liverpool ucu stand in solidarity with the students of Alareer Square. We support the right of students to peaceful protest. We call on University leaders to listen to the students' demands'
March 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
ulivucu.bsky.social
This is fine 🔥🔥🔥
Distracted boyfriend meme. Boyfriend is 'university of liverpool'. Girl he's dis by is '60% mandatory return to work and voluntary leavers scheme'. Girlfriend is 'staff Wellbeing' Gru meme. First three pages of his plan say 'demand 60% return to campus. Offer no valid reasons. Announce voluntary severance scheme'. The final one where is realises the plan is going wrong says 'motivate more staff than ever to join a union' Ryan Gosling hey girl meme. Text says 'hey girl happy Valentines Day. Have you thought about voluntarily leaving me? Oh cuz I've thought about you voluntarily leaving me'. Tim Jones the VC is Ryan here
February 14, 2025 at 12:42 PM
ulivucu.bsky.social
Feelin Good! Definitely Not Demoralised! ##FeelGoodFebruary
Poster in the style of such initiatives (smiley faces and pastel colours) referencing the University's feel good February scheme but adding the voluntary severance and mandatory return to campus policies rather than the bake sales and yoga sessions you'd usually see. It ends with Join your union
February 14, 2025 at 12:36 PM
ulivucu.bsky.social
Management do love to treat us around this special time of year...💖🥰💐🌹🍫💖 Happy Valentines Day everyone!
4 posters from ucu with hearts and flowers on highliting the mandatory return to campus and voluntary severance policies that Liverpool uni have announced lately asking people to join the union if they are worried about this 4 posters from ucu with hearts and flowers on highliting the mandatory return to campus and voluntary severance policies that Liverpool uni have announced lately asking people to join the union if they are worried about this 4 posters from ucu with hearts and flowers on highliting the mandatory return to campus and voluntary severance policies that Liverpool uni have announced lately asking people to join the union if they are worried about this 4 posters from ucu with hearts and flowers on highliting the mandatory return to campus and voluntary severance policies that Liverpool uni have announced lately asking people to join the union if they are worried about this
February 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM