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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich

Prof. Liz Oakley-Brown @earlymodlancs.bsky.social · 17d

And so much gratitude - of course - to my local unions for helping us make collective noise against proposed redundancies

@lancasterucu.bsky.social
@unison.org.uk
Unite

Prof. Liz Oakley-Brown @earlymodlancs.bsky.social · 17d

Do not go quietly into the redundancy pool

a man is sitting at a table with a napkin around his neck and eating food .

Alt: a man is sitting at a table with a napkin around his neck and banging metal serving dished together like cymbals

media.tenor.com

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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 16d

An inspiring first day of picketing to kick off our 4 weeks of strike action! Faculty, students, AND a dog or two made an appearance.

A photograph of a packed picket line on the southern edge of the University of Nottingham's campus

A photo of a picketer with a very good boy looking on with the respect that the university should be giving too

A group of picketers holding a sign that says Students Support the Strikes

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Nadia Whittome MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social · 16d

Solidarity with @uonucu.bsky.social members who are striking against compulsory redundancies and job losses at the University of Nottingham.

I urge the university’s leadership to come back to the table and work with staff to reach a fair settlement.

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 16d

Strike starts TODAY!!!

Branch members will be picketing from 8 to 11 today, tomorrow, and Wednesday at UP's west, south, and north entrance and Jubilee's main entrance on Derby road.

Come show your support!

#StopTheCuts #SaveHE

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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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 16d

Sending solidarity and wishes for sunshine to our comrades at the University of Nottingham! #StopTheCuts #SaveHE

University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 16d

Strike starts TODAY!!!

Branch members will be picketing from 8 to 11 today, tomorrow, and Wednesday at UP's west, south, and north entrance and Jubilee's main entrance on Derby road.

Come show your support!

#StopTheCuts #SaveHE

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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UCU Ulster @ucu-ulster.bsky.social · 26d

Joint statement from @ucu.org.uk , @unitetheunion.bsky.social , @unison.org.uk, @gmb.org.uk & @eisunion on @ucea-leadership.bsky.social 's insulting pay offer

All staff in HE have had enough of attacks on Pay, Jobs + Terms & Conditions in HE and will be balloting together for Industrial Action.

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 23d

"Every vote counts. Make sure you send a strong message you aren't having it" - @rmtunion.bsky.social GS Eddie Dempsey

UCU stands with the RMT in their dispute on London Underground, and they stand with us 🤝

#WeAreTheUniversity

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 24d

Thank you!! We appreciate you and support your fight 💪

Unite UCU @uniteucu.bsky.social · 26d

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)

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Dr Dave Hitchcock @davehitchcock.bsky.social · 28d

This isn't my idea it's @alicebennett.bsky.social 's as I recall, but I think it's time for this meme to join our HE binfire pantheon.

the alien monarchs from futurama asking why, sardonically, the largest university just doesn't eat all the nearest smaller ones.

that's pretty much what is happening?

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Claire L Jones @claireljones.bsky.social · 26d

Yes exactly. Universities can't afford research but they can spend millions on consultants, who give them the same stock solutions they've given everyone else

Richard Carr @richardcarr.bsky.social · 26d

Ban consultancy spend by universities then. Seriously. It’s the same spreadsheets recycled and the same downward spiral diagnosis every time. And costs hundreds of millions across the sector.

Research Professional News @resprofnews.bsky.social · 26d

Ministers ‘want to shift funds away from low-quality research’ .

Universities UK president says institutions cannot afford “unfunded hobbyist research”.

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-u...

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Architects' Journal @news.architectsjournal.co.uk · 27d

Two universities with well-established architecture departments are set to merge, forming the UK’s first ‘super-university’

Greenwich and Kent to merge into UK’s first ‘super-university’

www.architectsjournal.co.uk

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 27d

UCU Greenwich branch co-chair Dr Richard Wild told BBC London this morning that he only learned of the “super-university” via BBC

“If nothing’s going to change, what’s the advantage?”

Both Greenwich and Kent staff deserve clarity and reassurance, not spin or more job cuts.

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 28d

At #TUC2025, UCU President Maria Chondragianni challenged Labour on higher education:

“The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.”

✊ We will keep holding Labour to account.
#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 28d

🚨 Greenwich & Kent staff + students woke up to hear from the news their universities will merge.

This isn’t innovation, it’s crisis management.

👉 Members ignored. Students left in the dark.

#ucu #WeAreTheUniversity

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 27d

Our co-chair Ruth Ballardie speaking up for staff! "She said immediate concerns among staff revolved around how the merger could impact job security, pay, and pensions ... Despite the job cuts, Ballardie observed that Greenwich posted a £33 million surplus" - QUITE. #Kentwich

Juliette Rowsell @julietterowsell.bsky.social · 27d

I spoke to Jane Harrington, the current vice-chancellor of the University of Greenwich, who is set to lead the 'Kentwich' merger. She said:

- Other universities could join the group at a later stage
- She could not rule out job cuts

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/more-un...

More universities could join new Kent-Greenwich group, says v-c

Incoming leader of new entity says course sharing on the cards ‘where it makes sense’ as unions fear merger will result in more job cuts

www.timeshighereducation.com

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 28d

They call it “trailblazing.”
We call it financial crisis rebranded.

“This isn’t a merger, it’s a takeover by Greenwich.” @drjogrady.bsky.social told the BBC

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 28d

Kentwich may have come without any (required?) consultation of staff and trade unions, but that isn't stopping branches from getting to work and ensuring staff gets represented and acts together. 🫶

Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!

UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 28d

What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join

UCU University of Kent branch @ucukent.bsky.social · 28d

We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 28d

What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join

UCU University of Kent branch @ucukent.bsky.social · 28d

We've had a staff briefing at Kent from our acting VC and we don't really know any further than has been reported. This is the beginning of a process that we've been told will be transparent.
There were lots of questions but no answers yet.
Talk to your colleagues. We are stronger together.

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 28d

Thanks Juliette - have done

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UCU University of Kent branch @ucukent.bsky.social · 28d

For everyone else reading the news this morning about the Kent and Greenwich merger - it's been as big a shock for us too.
Rumours always abound with constant cuts and redundancies, but they remained rumours until 7.45am this morning.

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 28d

Members: your branch committee is about where you are in terms of info so far, but we'll be working hard to get as much as we can and making sure you get as much clarity as possible. We'll have a social Thursday 18th September, 5pm at the Gypsy Moth: non-members welcome www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Greenwich and Kent announce merger to form 'super-university'

Universities are facing ongoing financial worries, with the regulator saying other mergers could follow.

www.bbc.co.uk

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Jul 23

Want to hear from UCU’s negotiators before you vote?

Join the online member briefing:

🗓️ THIS Friday 14:00-15:30
📝 Register by Friday 11am:

Ask questions. Get the facts. VOTE.

www.ucu.org.uk/HEconsultati...

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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · Jul 24

To clarify - 14:00 - 15:30, register by 11am on Friday.

UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · Jul 24

Calling all members! Briefing on HE pay negotiations - open to all UCU members in HE. ucu.wufoo.com/forms/he-pay...

HE Pay Briefing - Friday 25 July

ucu.wufoo.com

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University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · Jul 17

“Our members have seen pay fall by 25-30% over the last 15 years.” @drjogrady.bsky.social this week on @skynewsrss.bsky.social

Drastic change is needed from the @teamlabouruk.bsky.social government to make a more equal society.

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · Jul 8

*really not funny at all.

Those loans these managers are taking on bind universities to a high cash reserve (hundreds of millions) for years, leading to more cutting in running cost just to meet the covenant.

This is why we need a governance review alongside a financial structure reform. #UKHE

East London university strikes deal for major life sciences investment

Queen Mary plans to develop £750mn biomedical campus after buying site from government

www.ft.com

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