We face huge challenges, but we can and must be the strong and confident union all our members need. I said more about these challenges in the presidential address I gave to Congress 2022, [here]. I served as UCU's UK President from 2020-22, stepping into the role early following the devastating loss of our President … Continue reading About Me
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Burnley College UCU strike
Burnley College UCU strikers out in force on the pickets during a college open evening, refusing to be intimidated by bizarre claims from the HR department that they could be sacked for the as long part in this ‘illegal’ strike (the strike was not illegal, it was lawfully decided upon and arranged in compliance with … Continue reading Burnley College UCU strike
Funding our Fight
Two years ago today I had the pleasure to organise and host our first online Fighting Fund-raiser with UCU Campaigns! We need more of these... Action in FEMandate in Prison Ed HE results tomorrowWatch again via this Facebook link (should be visible without an account) and please donate if you can [here]!https://www.facebook.com/ucu.campaigns/videos/366300701391922/
May Day March and Rally, Leeds
It was brilliant to join Leeds Trades Council and unions yesterday for our annual May Day rally.Our theme was the importance of joining a union, so we celebrated union wins, expressed solidarity for all who are in struggle, and recognised the battle we are in is one for basic decency in conditions across society.We must … Continue reading May Day March and Rally, Leeds
Letter to the Guardian: Higher education’s casual approach to employment
Robyn Orfitelli (an elected UCU negotiator) and I wrote to set the record straight [here] in the Guardian. We were aghast to see the employers' representative body UCEA's commentary in a Guardian piece last week, which downplayed the very real impact of casualisation in Higher Education. UCEA also incorrectly asserted that UCU had “repeatedly reject[ed] … Continue reading Letter to the Guardian: Higher education’s casual approach to employment
Grim Campus: Failing “leadership” and Covid Calculus
Many senior "leaders" of UK universities continue to insist on returning to face to face teaching and upon peddling the myth of a "covid safe" campus when the science tells us there is no such thing. A particularly horrific consequence of this absence of real leadership in their institutions is that some members have felt … Continue reading Grim Campus: Failing “leadership” and Covid Calculus
Independent SAGE panel 21 August 2020
I joined the Independent Sage panel on behalf of UCU this afternoon, to discuss the (many) issues around the return to campus and plans for face to face teaching. You can watch the whole thing - also including important and incisive input from fellow UCU member Felicity Callard - here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t4MjpN2d_U The Indy SAGE report … Continue reading Independent SAGE panel 21 August 2020
UCU Levy and NEC – update 16/7/20
Following the announcement of the UCU Levy, I wrote [this statement] noting my view as President that a special meeting of the NEC was needed to re-examine the levy and to identify steps to mitigate it and pursue all avenues to at least approximate a greater degree of progressiveness than was believed possible in February. … Continue reading UCU Levy and NEC – update 16/7/20
UCU Levy – statement 28/6/20
On Friday, the General Secretary sent notice to all UCU members of a flat rate levy which will be applied in order to support the union’s fighting fund.1 The prospect of a flat levy has caused huge upset, with pain most keenly felt by casualised members and those on lower salaries. Many of the NEC … Continue reading UCU Levy – statement 28/6/20
UCU disputes: who decides?
Tomorrow (26 May) UCU branch delegates from Higher Education will come together online at two advisory Branch Delegates Meetings (BDMs) to discuss, debate, and decide advisory positions to put to the HEC with regards to the Four Fights dispute, and that over USS. These advisory positions will be put to the Higher Education Committee which … Continue reading UCU disputes: who decides?
Vicky Blake 