The Friday email: 4 February 2022

Support the university strikes

Higher education employment data published this week has illustrated why so many university staff are backing UCU's strike action which kicks off on 14 February. Latest HE staffing data highlights how employers have failed to address both the inequalities that blight our sector and the scandal of insecure contracts. Jo Grady said: 'what we see at the top of institutions is just the tip of the iceberg with equality failings rife across the entire sector. Women, Black staff and disabled staff continue to face shocking pay gaps with women more likely to be on zero hours contracts than men, and Black women even more likely still.' The union's disputes committee made the following statement regarding the forthcoming action.

• if you work at a university where strike action is planned, contact your local UCU branch and help organise the picket lines and 'teach out' events
• members at (pre-92) USS institutions can keep the pressure on vice-chancellors by sharing our counter-proposals
• keep supporting our 'action short of a strike' (ASOS) if your branch is taking part
• donate and share the link to the union's fighting fund
• talk to colleagues, students, friends and family about why you back UCU's action. 

'Levelling up' in post-16 education: colleges and prison education

The union has responded to the government's new white paper which includes plans for elite sixth form colleges and 'skills bootcamps' for prison learners. Jo Grady said: 'The creation of new 'elite' sixth form colleges looks like it will do the opposite of levelling up, and will instead divide 16-year-olds into winners and losers.' On proposals for prison education she added: 'Any additional funding for skills bootcamps should be directed towards colleges and their staff - the proposals here appear more like a bung for employers.' Read the full story here.

UCU elections 2022

UCU's trustee, officer and national executive committee elections opened on 27 January and ballot material should now be with you. You can register for our online vice-president hustings on Tuesday 8 February, 12.30pm - 1.30pm here.

UCU guidance on neurodiversity 

UCU represents a diverse membership of workers from different backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexualities and neurologies. Neurology is the way that the brain functions and this resource aims to support branches with tools to help address neurodivergence.

Online 'teach out' series, 28 February and 1 March

These online webinars on 'challenging casualisation' are open to UCU members, and students who are keen to work in solidarity with UCU branches and are scheduled to facilitate attendance during the forthcoming HE strikes.

• Monday 28 February 2pm-3.30pm to join please register here
• Monday 28 February 4pm-5.30pm to join please register here
• Tuesday 01 March 4pm-5.30pm to join please register here.