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Unite UCU

@uniteucu.bsky.social

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Unite branch (LE127) for employees of the University and College Union. [email protected] | https://uniteucu.wordpress.com | https://union.place/@UniteUCU

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Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

🚨 Third consecutive vote for industrial action 🚨

✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%

ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."

Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.

#ReclaimUCU

Jo Grady calling Queen Mary management "vindictive" for making deductions from UCU members taking action short of a strike: Jo Grady, UCU's general secretary, said Queen Mary's senior management had "launched a vindictive attack" on its members, "punishing them for taking part in lawful industrial action" and "cementing its reputation as the worst university employer in the UK" She said: "It is wrong to do this at any time and all the more deplorable as staff struggle to make ends meet in a cost of living crisis."

Screen shot of the article from The Guardian about Queen Mary ASOS deductions in which Jo Grady is quoted

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 7d

With thanks and solidarity to the latest signatories:
@uclucu.bsky.social
@sussexucu.bsky.social
@lancasterucu.bsky.social
@ucustandrews.bsky.social

uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...

UCU branch committees demand SMT ends punitive deduction threat

Following Unite’s third consecutive vote in favour of industrial action, and UCU management’s subsequent announcement that they plan to make deductions of 100% of the daily pay from sta…

uniteucu.wordpress.com

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 7d

Fifty branches, representing over 36% of UCU members, have now called for @drjogrady.bsky.social to enter unconditional negotiations & remove the threat of punitive deductions against staff.

Unite's repeated requests for such talks have had no response. Will she now listen to @ucu.org.uk members?

We call on Jo Grady and UCU SMT to:
• Enter negotiations with Unite UCU without preconditions.
• Stop the threat of punitive deductions for ASOS - this breaches UCU and TUC policy and only serves to undermine all of us, not least those UCU members currently involved in legal test cases against punitive deductions after taking lawful industrial action.

Signed, 25, no 37, no 46, no 50 UCU branch committees (and still counting)

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 17d

Do you want to know how UCU senior management has responded to UCU branches calling on them to remove their threat of deductions? This is how.

How would you react?

uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...

Screenshot of email from UCU management which reads: ASOS Attendance Form - New Weekly Survey
Starting Monday 22 September, all staff will receive an email with a link to the new ASOS attendance form. This short weekly survey is mandatory for all staff, whether you were on ASOS or not. Please make sure to complete it each week, failure to do so may result in pay deductions. The cut off each week will be Friday at 5pm.

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 20d

Thank you for your solidarity
@umucu.bsky.social
@ucu-ulster.bsky.social
@uculincolnbranch.bsky.social
@kclucu.bsky.social
@cardiffucu.bsky.social
@northantsucu.bsky.social
Nottingham Trent UCU
Kingston University UCU
University of York UCU

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 20d

With another 9 @ucu.org.uk branches now calling on UCU to do the right thing we wonder if @drjogrady.bsky.social is listening to her members.

We call on Jo Grady and UCU SMT to:
• Enter negotiations with Unite UCU without preconditions.
• Stop the threat of punitive deductions for ASOS - this breaches UCU and TUC policy and only serves to undermine all of us, not least those UCU members currently involved in legal test cases against punitive deductions after taking lawful industrial action.

Signed, 25, no, 37, no, now 46 UCU branch committees (and still counting)

Reposted by Unite UCU

ITF Staff Union @uniteitf.bsky.social · 21d

The first-ever strike by staff of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has been covered by TradeWinds, ShippingWatch, and The Maritime Executive.

Reposted by Unite UCU

ITF Staff Union @uniteitf.bsky.social · 21d

ITF Staff Strike Day 4: Finishing strong on our fourth consecutive day of industrial action!

Massive thank you to everyone who committed to respect our global picket line, who visited us in person, or sent in a message of solidarity.

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

Thank you:
@ucugreenwich.bsky.social
Sandwell College
@lseucu.bsky.social
@leedsucu.bsky.social
University of Chester
Bradford College
@yorkstjohn.bsky.social
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Kirklees College
Liverpool John Moores University
Royal Northern College of Music
University of Oxford

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

Another 12 more UCU branches have signed (so far) today!

uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...

We'd like to send special solidarity back to @ucukent.bsky.social and @ucugreenwich.bsky.social for their support following their own worrying news from this week.

We call on Jo Grady and UCU SMT to:
• Enter negotiations with Unite UCU without preconditions.
• Stop the threat of punitive deductions for ASOS - this breaches UCU and TUC policy and only serves to undermine all of us, not least those UCU members currently involved in legal test cases against punitive deductions after taking lawful industrial action.

Signed, 25, no, 37 UCU branch committees (and counting)

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

For the full list of signatories to the statement see uniteucu.wordpress.com/2025/09/12/u...

UCU branch committees demand SMT ends punitive deduction threat

Following Unite’s third consecutive vote in favour of industrial action, and UCU management’s subsequent announcement that they plan to make deductions of 100% of the daily pay from sta…

uniteucu.wordpress.com

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

University of Reading
Wigan and Leigh College
@uonucu.bsky.social
@bournemouthucu.bsky.social
@ucuwestminster.bsky.social
@leicesterucu.bsky.social
Sheffield International College
@ucuedinburgh.bsky.social

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

@ucuaberdeen.bsky.social
@ucuglasgow.bsky.social
@bcu-ucu.bsky.social
@citystgeorgesucu.bsky.social
@ucukent.bsky.social
@beourhope.bsky.social
@ucuaber.bsky.social
University of Huddersfield
West Nottinghamshire College

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

@qmucu.bsky.social sky.social
@goldsmithsucu.bsky.social
@manmetucu.bsky.social
@ulivucu.bsky.social
@ducu.bsky.social
@ducuuo.bsky.social
@sheffielducu.bsky.social
University of Strathclyde

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 27d

Sometimes solutions are easy @drjogrady.bsky.social & @ucu.org.uk

Let’s sit down and talk without conditions or threats that damage everyone. It’s time to resolve this dispute.

Our statement, with support from the following branch committees:

We call on Jo Grady and UCU SMT to:
• Enter negotiations with Unite UCU without preconditions.
• Stop the threat of punitive deductions for ASOS - this breaches UCU and TUC policy and only serves to undermine all of us, not least those UCU members currently involved in legal test cases against punitive deductions after taking lawful industrial action.

Signed, 25 UCU branch committees (and counting)

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 6

UCU policy: “To work with the TUC and other TUs to campaign for a change to the law to prevent such deductions, including lobbying government and opposition parties”

Maybe while @drjogrady.bsky.social is at @tuc.org.uk in Brighton she can work on thi… oh!

policy.web.ucu.org.uk/motion-infor...

UCU: Fighting punitive ASOS deductions

Motion from UCU Congress 2022-2023: Fighting punitive ASOS deductions

policy.web.ucu.org.uk

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Jo Grady: “Rogue university bosses are trying to intimidate staff from taking lawful industrial action by withholding their wages. This is a deeply unfair and unprofessional response from management which will only escalate and prolong these disputes.”

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1209...

University accused of ‘vindictive attack’ as staff lose 21 days’ pay over protest

Academics fear docked wages after marking boycott at Queen Mary University of London are start of a wider crackdown

www.theguardian.com

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Jo Grady: “...these deductions are immoral, counterproductive, and have no place in our universities. UCEA and vice-chancellors need to stop with the bully-boy tactics which are damaging to staff, students, and the international reputation of UK higher education.’

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1287...

Marking and assessment boycott to hit 145 UK universities from tomorrow

UCU has today confirmed that a marking and assessment boycott will commence tomorrow [Thursday 20 April] at 145 UK universities after employers failed to produce an improved offer in the pay & conditi...

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Jo Grady: “Employers are specifically threatening to impose 100% pay deductions... It's now clear that this is a nationally orchestrated move by employers to bully and intimidate.”

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1210...

UCU update on salary deductions

I'm writing to update you on the latest situation regarding moves by employers to implement, in some cases, up to 100% pay deductions for UCU members taking part in industrial action short of a strike...

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Jo Grady: “...rather than resolve the disputes they are instead threatening to take 100% of wages from staff who are still performing the majority of their duties. It is disgraceful and vindictive behaviour.”

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1287...

Marking and assessment boycott to hit 145 UK universities from tomorrow

UCU has today confirmed that a marking and assessment boycott will commence tomorrow [Thursday 20 April] at 145 UK universities after employers failed to produce an improved offer in the pay & conditi...

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

We wonder what @qmucu.bsky.social thinks about their own union’s threat to make 100% deductions for ASOS.

www.theguardian.com/education/20...

University accused of ‘vindictive attack’ as staff lose 21 days’ pay over protest

Academics fear docked wages after marking boycott at Queen Mary University of London are start of a wider crackdown

www.theguardian.com

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

🚨 Third consecutive vote for industrial action 🚨

✅ strike action: 76%
✅ action short of a strike (ASOS): 80%
✅ turnout: 77%

ASOS begins today with @ucu.org.uk threatening staff: "We'll deduct your wages."

Double standards and vindictive attacks undermine us all.

#ReclaimUCU

Jo Grady calling Queen Mary management "vindictive" for making deductions from UCU members taking action short of a strike: Jo Grady, UCU's general secretary, said Queen Mary's senior management had "launched a vindictive attack" on its members, "punishing them for taking part in lawful industrial action" and "cementing its reputation as the worst university employer in the UK" She said: "It is wrong to do this at any time and all the more deplorable as staff struggle to make ends meet in a cost of living crisis."

Screen shot of the article from The Guardian about Queen Mary ASOS deductions in which Jo Grady is quoted

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Aug 7

Then making sure the ballot gets posted.

Sweep puppet posting a ballot paper

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Aug 7

Sweep doing his bit for GTVO by supporting another yes & yes vote.

#ReclaimUCU

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Aug 6

Happy staff don’t vote for action. More yes & yes votes hit the postbox.

#ReclaimUCU

Ballot paper being posted

Another ballot paper being posted

And another ballot paper being posted

Postal pooch! Another ballot being posted while walking the dog.

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · Aug 5

🎵 ‘Solidarity forever, for the union makes us strong.

Yes and yes’.