UCU @ QUB
@ucuatqub.bsky.social
University and College Union, Queen's University Belfast branch. Fighting for the fair treatment of university workers and the safeguarding of our education system. https://www.ucuqub.org/
Our summer newsletter is now live! There are particularly important items on our casualisation survey and on pay deals. Please do share with not just members but other Queen’s colleagues who might want to know what the union does for them! sway.cloud.microsoft/i6UO0DoX8m2G...
UCU@QUB Newsletter Summer 2026
Welcome to the Summer 2026 Newsletter of UCU at Queen’s University Belfast
sway.cloud.microsoft
500 staff at risk. 200 compulsory redundancies. A world-class university under threat. Staff at Exeter are taking the next step in the fight against cuts, with a strike ballot opening on 27 July. ✊ Defend Exeter. Defend education.
ucu.org.uk
People are organising in Belfast to support those effected by last night’s racist violence. Whether you are near or far, please consider donating! chuffed.org/project/1854...
Support people and groups impacted by racist attacks
We are raising funds to support people who have been attacked, displaced and traumatised in racist attacks in Belfast.
chuffed.org
*Statement in regard to recent racist protests in Northern Ireland* We are shocked and appalled at the racist carnage that took place in pockets of Belfast last night, as well as in other towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
Along with the General Secretary of @ucu.org.uk, we stood with colleagues of @ucu-ulster.bsky.social outside @ulsteruni.bsky.social this morning in protest at the shocking plans to make 450+ redundancies.
Back on strike with @sheffielducu.bsky.social. Why? Management is pushing ahead with restructures despite sitting on £200m+ in reserves. Along with colleagues in East Asian Studies, I also find out in 12 days how many of us they want to fire. No justification is deemed necessary by management.
University of Hertfordshire closes a swathe of Humanities courses, accelerating the sweeping tide against Human-centred disciples in the UK. Because understanding humans is so yesterday today. With such happy consequences, as we see when we look around us.
Owen Davies@odavies9.bsky.social · 3mo agoAye. Heard today that my university is closing UG History, Philosophy, English Lit, Linguistics, and Creative Writing in one go.
On Friday afternoon before the Bank Holiday, colleagues in the Humanities department were called to a meeting on Tuesday. They were informed that the University Portfolio Review had decided that English Language, English Literature, Philosophy, History & Creative Writing UG degrees would close
Owen Davies@odavies9.bsky.social · 3mo agoAye. Heard today that my university is closing UG History, Philosophy, English Lit, Linguistics, and Creative Writing in one go.
We were represented at the May Day Trade Union Rally at the weekend. Colleagues from @ucu-ulster.bsky.social - who are facing the horrendous possibility of 450 redundancies - led the march.
14.5% Ulster University staff being made redundant: 450 staff out of 3K or so. Massive impact on quality of educational provision & economy of Northern Ireland. Please sign &share petition #UCU @ucuatqub.bsky.social @ucu-ulster.bsky.social @vickyblake.bsky.social www.change.org/p/stop-redun...
Sign the Petition
Stop redundancies at Ulster University
change.org
Solidarity with colleagues at Ulster University; this is educational vandalism that our region cannot afford, and will also create huge workload issues for all those staff left behind.
UCU Ulster@ucu-ulster.bsky.social · 4mo ago@ulsteruni.bsky.social - Announces intention to make 450 colleagues redundant University decimated 🤬😡 @caoimhearchibald.bsky.social @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social
🚨 1 in 4 staff at Goldsmiths to be axed. All while senior management get eye-watering pay rises and £16m is spent on consultants and lawyers. This is the reality of Higher Education in the UK. Our members have voted for industrial action, support them. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1447...
Marking boycott looms at Goldsmiths over £20m of cuts to staff
Staff at Goldsmiths, University of London, have overwhelmingly voted for industrial action in a fight to protect jobs, UCU announced today.
ucu.org.uk
Fascinating. Managers who appoint their mates, heh.
Exclusive: Former ANU VC accused of ‘serious misconduct’
Former ANU vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell has been suspended from the university and accused of serious misconduct after allegedly making a close friend a full professor despite him having no universi...
thesaturdaypaper.com.au
A survey on members experiences of racism that will play a vital role in shaping our work and strengthening UCU as a democratic, inclusive and anti-racist trade union - please do fill in. yoursay.ucu.org.uk/s3/Black-Mem...
UCU Survey of Members' Experiences of Racism within the Union and Workplaces 2026
UCU Survey of Members' Experiences of Racism within the Union and Workplaces 2026.
yoursay.ucu.org.uk
Today is the last safe day to post your #UCU election ballot, tomorrow it would need a first class stamp. If you've already voted ask your colleagues if they've voted too. Got this great picture from a member at my branch this morning- replacement ballot arrived just in time 🙌
Just a few of the incredible scenes on our pickets and at our joint rally with @unison.org.uk - thanks to all our members and supporters! See you all on Monday ✊
THIS IS WHAT A UNION LOOKS LIKE. THIS IS WHAT SOLIDARITY LOOKS LIKE. THIS IS WHAT STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT LOOKS LIKE. IGNORE AT YOUR PERIL!
We've just donated to @ucuessex.bsky.social's strike fund. Plans for 400 redundancies (200 academic/200 professional services - 1 in 10 staff) & closure of a Southend campus are sheer vandalism. There's more about the branch's campaign to save the university here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-gb...
400 jobs at risk at the University of Essex
YouTube video by UCU - University and College Union
youtube.com
UCU Essex@ucuessex.bsky.social · 8mo agoManagement want to cut 400 jobs, but we know a better university is possible. We've posted our ballots - have you?
In response to the news that @qubelfastofficial.bsky.social has cut ties with Senator George J. Mitchell, following new information that suggests he remained in contact with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, we have released the following statement. 1/5
A (positive!) update on USS pensions: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
USS valuation methodology changes agreed - with more to do
The USS trustee board has recently concluded a review of the methodology to be used in the 2026 valuation and has confirmed that it intends to incorporate a number of UCU proposals.
ucu.org.uk
Now up on our website: expert analysis on the recently published accounts of our university by our stalwart member Paul Hudson. Vital information for understanding the financial landscape & context within which the recently Voluntary Severance Scheme took place. www.ucuqub.org/Press/Statem...
Press/Statements
Press/Statements
ucuqub.org
we forgot to snap a photo of our annual committee festive gathering last night, but there was pizza, pints... and, of course, plotting! 👿
UCU @ QUB@ucuatqub.bsky.social · 2y agoA few of the faithful gathered last night for a wee festive drop at the end of a sometimes testing semester...
🚨 Strike ballot opens at University of Essex Management plans to close Southend campus and axe 400 jobs. All staff were told they could lose their jobs as they broke up for Christmas. This is academic vandalism and we will not accept it. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1428...
Strike ballot opens at University of Essex in fight to save campus & jobs
Staff at the University of Essex are being asked to back strike action over plans to close the university's Southend campus and axe 400 jobs.
ucu.org.uk
It's official: 400 redundancies and a campus closure. At-risk staff will get a letter next week. Absolutely no serious consideration of any of the union's counterproposals. Please share widely.
