[Time constraints at TUC 2023 meant that it was not possible for the chair to take speeches from several unions, for Composite Motion 5. The full text of the motion is here, and I am pleased to report it carried! Below is the text of the speech I would have given in the three minutes … Continue reading #TUC23 speech for motion C05: A tipping point in the climate emergency – we need to act now
Blog
What next? Lessons from this year’s 4 Fights Campaign
With around six weeks remaining in our current mandate, and following UCEA's refusal to bring anything new to the table, UCU faces another in a long series of crunch points in our industrial dispute over pay and pay-related conditions. The most immediate choice is whether to reballot now, already significantly behind the timeline set by … Continue reading What next? Lessons from this year’s 4 Fights Campaign
Secure Work for All Staff
Anti-casualisation starts at home: Why it matters that our unions treat their staff as we fight to be treated at work. If we want a better future, we must imagine it together. For a trade union, this is central to winning better conditions in the workplace, and building decent communities. Recent events in UCU have … Continue reading Secure Work for All Staff
To Note, or Not to Note, What is the Question?
The 30 March special meeting of the UCU Higher Education Committee (HEC) agreed to initiate formal member consultation regarding the two disputes comprising the #ucuRISING campaign: USS and Four Fights (pay and pay related conditions). UCU emails and social media indicate this will begin from Tuesday 4 April (the day after we receive the results … Continue reading To Note, or Not to Note, What is the Question?
What’s going on, and why did HEC vote against consultation on the disputes?
At the special HEC on Friday 17 March, I voted “against”, in response to the only two questions put to us [HEC results in brackets]: Question 1: Should the proposals agreed with UCEA and UUK relating to the USS and Four Fights disputes be put to UCU HE members in a formal consultation? [For: 19; Against: 22; … Continue reading What’s going on, and why did HEC vote against consultation on the disputes?
The Pause, and UCU decision-making
What’s going on? Step into “UCU Twitter” and other spaces since the pause in #ucuRISING strike action was announced to members on Friday evening and you quickly find confusion, worry, and attempts to piece together what is and isn’t “in rule” and lots of debate about democracy. As UCU Immediate Past President, I am in my … Continue reading The Pause, and UCU decision-making
#ucuRISING media
Times Radio with Carole Walker, 13 February 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5gGKXRTx5Q&list=PLuJ7pXxkIUT2YqBFLiobIxITqZOxZ2-C2 BBC Radio Sheffield with Howard Pressman, 14 February 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdnw2n4mAcs&list=PLuJ7pXxkIUT2YqBFLiobIxITqZOxZ2-C2&index=2&t=13s
Stronger Together In UCU
We are fighting for the fair pay, decent conditions, and fair pensions we deserve. If you've ever met me on a picket line, you know that I feel very strongly about the power of song to bring people together. We have a grand tradition of singing at our picket rallies at Uni of Leeds UCU … Continue reading Stronger Together In UCU
Feb 1st Strike
Yesterday, I was so glad to represent UCU at the Yorkshire and Humber TUC rally in Leeds. The demo brought striking unions and supporters together for a march right through the centre of town, and we rallied before and after in front of our city's iconic Town Hall. We will not apologise for fighting for … Continue reading Feb 1st Strike
NEC Election Statement 2023
Widening Participation Officer (Academic-Related), University of Leeds Serving four years as a UCU UK officer has been tough, and an incredible privilege. Vice President from 2019, I took office as President as the pandemic hit and we suffered further consequences of a vicious Tory government. This gave me significant and realistic insight into the challenges of organising … Continue reading NEC Election Statement 2023
Vicky Blake 