The Friday email: 3 December 2021

UCU strikes back: this is just the beginning

This week huge numbers of staff, students and supporters joined picket lines at 58 universities as UCU members took strike action over pay and conditions and over cuts to the USS pension. Congratulating members on showing rock solid support for the action, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said 'The level of action seen today is just the beginning and university managers now need to wake up and address the very modest demands of staff. Otherwise, the potential for more widespread and escalating industrial action in the new year becomes very real.'

• see this fantastic display of picket line photos and solidarity messages 
• keep the pressure on the employers with our 'Reclaim our time' action short of a strike (ASOS) campaign
• donate to our fighting fund to support education workers in struggle
• get more information from our dispute action centre.
• watch the UCU Scotland Holyrood strike rally.

UCU local campaigns

A round up of all the latest local UCU campaigns at college, prison and university workplaces including a ballot for action over jobs and workload at University of Kent and a fight for union recognition at Sussex International Study Centre.

Mental health online event, 7 December

TUC invite you to join the next in a series of Mental Health Matters online events on stress and workload on Tuesday 7 December, 4.30pm - 5.30pm featuring UCU's Alex Lancaster.  All welcome.

End gender based violence 

UCU is supporting the 16 days of activism against gender based violence which is an international campaign that runs from 25 November - 10 December. You can find a range of resources and events here.   

Academic related and professional services staff news

The latest edition of the ARPS newsletter '...and related' is out now featuring articles on how to build ARPS groups in your branch; ARPS involvement in the Liverpool dispute and the Fossil Free Careers campaign.