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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · 23h

You have our full SOLIDARITY colleagues at Teesside University UCU! We need to collectively fight to stop redundacies everywhere! We can stop them!

Rob Hawkes @robbhawkes.bsky.social · 5d

As more of my valued colleagues face the threat of redundancy, here’s a quick reminder that it takes years and years of public investment to train an academic. Cutting someone with this wealth of experience loose isn’t “saving” anything. It is a massive waste of our collective resources.

UK Universities in Crisis? Time to Transform Higher Ed Finance

by Rob Hawkes and Scott Ferguson Universities in the UK are in crisis. Job cuts in the sector are reaching ‘cataclysmic’ levels, with an estimated 10,000 already lost and many more at risk. Just da…

moneyontheleft.org

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · 1d

Solidarity with Teesside Uni UCU!

Rob Hawkes @robbhawkes.bsky.social · Mar 10

“Jon Bryan, University and College Union (UCU) Regional Support Official for the North […] alleged that Teesside University has lost 20 per cent of its workforce over the last year”.

We can’t go on like this. We need to change the way we fund our universities before it’s too late.

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Mar 10

⁦⏰ @newcastleucu.bsky.social start their second week of strikes today.

🚨 @ducu.bsky.social are balloting for strike action.

@thenorthernecho.bsky.social covered the 'worrying situation' universities are facing 👇

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2498999...

Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Rob Hawkes @robbhawkes.bsky.social · Mar 10

“Jon Bryan, University and College Union (UCU) Regional Support Official for the North […] alleged that Teesside University has lost 20 per cent of its workforce over the last year”.

We can’t go on like this. We need to change the way we fund our universities before it’s too late.

University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Mar 10

⁦⏰ @newcastleucu.bsky.social start their second week of strikes today.

🚨 @ducu.bsky.social are balloting for strike action.

@thenorthernecho.bsky.social covered the 'worrying situation' universities are facing 👇

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/2498999...

Concern over 'heartbreaking' cuts at North East Universities as unions take action

Staff unions have described a “worrying” situation for universities in the North East as two weeks of industrial action begin at Newcastle.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

ednews.bsky.social @ednews.bsky.social · 5d

UCU calls on Teesside University to rethink job cuts plans | UCU

UCU calls on Teesside University to rethink job cuts plans

The University and College Union (UCU) has today called on Teesside University to think again over plans to cut jobs as part of a restructure of four departments, spread across the institution.

www.ucu.org.uk

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 1d

We have voted to force management to rule out the use of compulsory redundancies.

The result demonstrates the anger & disappointment with the lack of progress and failure of successive leaderships at the University to deliver a sustainable way forward that protects jobs and the University’s future.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Durham UCU @ducu.bsky.social · 7d

We were there too! Hugely inspiring to see the city turn out to reject hate. Top speech by @newcastleucu.bsky.social's Matt Perry, too. #ourtoon

Ben Dickenson @benjitoon.bsky.social · 11d

Newcastle says no to fascism.

The far right brought a hundred or so with them, bussed from far and wide. This city turned out 1000s, from local communities, estates and streets. Geordies of all backgrounds coming together and outnumbering the purveyors of hate by some distance.

Newcastle united.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 1d

Our members have voted to support industrial action to fight against job cuts passed today!

In the ballot our 72% of members were in favour of strike action, and 90% in favour of action short of strike. Turnout was 58%.

Thank you to all members, reps and officials for helping us get the vote out.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 23d

Strike action is ON!!!

Next week will be the first of 4 weeks of striking from our members as we continue to say NO to the compulsory redundancies forced on us by the university for their poor financial choices.

#StopTheCuts #SaveHE

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · Sep 4

Unclear why we need external recruiters for these things. Those searches are expensive. Surely, those with an actual interest in universities can be reached via connections through the staff body? The only people recruiters like these reach are the floating board-sitters.

Sol Gamsu @solgamsu.bsky.social · Sep 3

"We recruited some elites with little actual understanding of education or universities, were paid well to do it and this is a good thing."

University governance is just dire.

@newcastleucu.bsky.social

www.peridotpartners.co.uk/case-study-c...

Case study: Council Member recruitment | Newcastle University - Peridot

We were delighted to support Newcastle University with the recruitment of new Council Members. Read on to learn more about the process.

www.peridotpartners.co.uk

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Sol Gamsu @solgamsu.bsky.social · Sep 3

"We recruited some elites with little actual understanding of education or universities, were paid well to do it and this is a good thing."

University governance is just dire.

@newcastleucu.bsky.social

www.peridotpartners.co.uk/case-study-c...

Case study: Council Member recruitment | Newcastle University - Peridot

We were delighted to support Newcastle University with the recruitment of new Council Members. Read on to learn more about the process.

www.peridotpartners.co.uk

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · Sep 5

“Strike action is always a last resort, but staff at the University of Dundee have proven that they will take action to protect jobs and the future of the university.”

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · Sep 5

“It’s wrong that uncertainty and the threat of job cuts continue to loom over staff at a time when the university’s finances have been stabilised and all efforts should be directed towards co-creating a credible and sustainable path to recovery that includes staff and students’ voices.
2/

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · Sep 5

Our ballot to renew our ability to take industrial action at the University of Dundee opens today.

Melissa D’Ascenzio, Dundee University UCU branch co-president, said: “The university’s students and staff have been badly let down.
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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Goldsmiths UCU @goldsmithsucu.bsky.social · Aug 27

2/ On 22 July, offer holders for the MA Black British History were told the programme would not run. They were advised to defer to 2026/27, transfer to another course, or withdraw. The convenor was not informed in advance and only learned of the decision via social media.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Goldsmiths UCU @goldsmithsucu.bsky.social · Aug 27

🧵1/ Our branch just passed a motion condemning the stealth closure of the MA in Black British History.
We did this to demand accountability — for the future of the MA and for the College’s promises on racial justice and equality.
shorturl.at/gIUVG

Motion in support of MA Black British History - Goldsmiths University and College Union

This motion was passed at our branch meeting on 27/08/2025. Full text below: Motion in support of MA Black British History This branch notes that: b) The college continues to ...

shorturl.at

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Sheffield UCU @sheffielducu.bsky.social · Aug 27

Since our Vice Chancellor was appointed, we have seen a systemic programme of destabilising change management, with 1000s of staff being placed at risk of losing their jobs. This has created a demoralising cycle of stress and uncertainty for all staff at the University.

thetab.com/2024/12/03/r...

University of Sheffield vice-chancellor claims £17,000 in business class travel expenses

Koen Lamberts' registered expenses have increased 68 per cent on last year

thetab.com

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Aug 27

More and more ballots open - solidarity to @sheffielducu.bsky.social

Sheffield UCU @sheffielducu.bsky.social · Aug 27

Ballot papers drop today for local industrial action to defend jobs at the University of Sheffield against redundancy and further workload pressures.

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1415...

Strike ballot opens at University of Sheffield staff over job cuts

Staff at the University of Sheffield are being asked to vote for strike action, announced the University and College Union (UCU) today. The ballot opened yesterday and will close on Tuesday 30 September.

www.ucu.org.uk

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Aug 16

Wow! thanks for alerting us - not a good development.

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Jul 30

Payday coming up, and many of our members will receive a lot less pay than normal due to taking strike action in June. Please donate to our strike fund if you can, or apply for support if you need it! ncl.web.ucu.org.uk/newcastle-uc...

Newcastle UCU Local Hardship Fund: Policies and Procedures

For the upcoming dispute, the Newcastle University UCU branch has created a local fund specifically aimed at assisting hourly paid / casual staff and those for whom the loss of income due to strike ac...

ncl.web.ucu.org.uk

Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · Jul 20

This is where it would be nice if NOUS did... contracts?

Apparently one of largest Higher Education consultancies doesn't do contracts? They did the benchmarking advising for our entire university Strategy 2030, and we didn't draw up a contract...

This information is not held. Although NOUS has done consultancy work for Queen Mary in the last five years, we do not hold any contract. We can tell you that total spend including VAT with NOUS Group UK Ltd was £435,275.34 between 2019-23

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Jul 15

Solidarity!

UEA UCU says join a union @uea-ucu.bsky.social · Jul 15

BREAKING: University of East Anglia plans to axe THREE vital mental health training programmes, putting 19 jobs at risk. These programmes train frontline NHS mental health workers who work directly with vulnerable patients.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · Jul 9

But guess which aspects of #UKHE the Office for Students is obsessing over...

The whole 'free speech' 'crisis' on campuses is manufactured and that our regulator feeds into it is truly troublesome.

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/organis...

One reason given for the overall discrepancies was the experience of disabled students, whose views are generally less positive overall than those of their counterparts, with the most significant differences seen in response to the organisation and management questions.

“Student voice” remains the area where students are least positive, with 68 per cent saying it was clear that students’ comments on a course were acted upon. But this was still an improvement on last year, when just 63 per cent said the same.

Asked about free speech, 88.3 per cent of students in England say they feel able to express ideas, opinions and beliefs – up from 86.4 per cent last year despite concerns about “cancel culture” on campuses that have prompted new OfS conditions, set to come in next month.

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · Jul 7

'“The eye-watering pay and perks for those at the top are really a massive distraction from the underfunding of the sector, and it makes it harder for us to make the case to government to bring in the funding that the sector actually needs.” (Mary Senior, UCU Scotland). 1/3

‘Eye-watering’ university principal salaries may mask deeper problems

Unions warn "eye-watering" principal pay distracts from the sector's real problems, and principals suggest they are open to having a…

www.heraldscotland.com

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UCU Newcastle University @newcastleucu.bsky.social · Jul 1

Solidarity! Great news!

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · Jul 1

Our ballot results are in!

-63% of members voted
-84% of voting members said YES to action short of strike
-72% of voting members said YES to strike action

Which means our call for industrial action has passed and we have a mandate to fight back!

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Reposted by UCU Newcastle University

Strike Map @strikemap.org · Jun 27

🪧Megapicket II🪧

5 sites. One day! Friday 25 July from 6am

🔥Be a part of it: bit.ly/RSVPMegapicketII

📍 Atlas Depot, B11 2AS
📍 Lifford Lane Depot, B30 3JJ
📍 Perry Barr Depot, B42 2TU
📍 Veolia Incinerator, B11 2BA
📍 Ryton site, CV8 3EJ

#StrikeMap

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Promotional poster for a multi-union solidarity strike event titled '5 Sites - One Day' featuring speakers with megaphones and supportive crowd in the background. Event is scheduled for 25 July, starting at 6 AM, with endorsements from BFAWU, FBU, GFTU, PCS, Peace and Justice Project, Strike Map, and We Demand Change.

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