Newcastle University UCU
@NewcastleUniUCU
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Newcastle University University and College Union Branch account
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Joined February 2018
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Pinned Tweet
#SolidarityWithPalestine
from the Newcastle UCU branch members who voted overwhelmingly in favour of this motion.
1
10
14
A lesson in
#dataviz
: the students have spoken! 30 minutes for marking a 2000 word essay is THREE TIMES LONGER than its allocated for our Teaching Assistants. If it takes longer? Pay drops below minimum wage.
#UCUStrikesBack
#FourFights
20
805
2K
Breaking News from
@UniofNewcastle
: An immunocompromised member of staff has been told that they won't be allowed to deliver lectures remotely because the University is "business as usual". Please explain,
@prof_chrisday
, how is this a policy to protect our staff and students??
56
534
957
On Friday, through collective action by members, HR REMOVED THE THREAT of punitive deductions for ASOS from their strike declaration form. This is a victory for us. We still have a fight ahead but there is strength in unity. Thank you!
4
162
826
.
@UniofNewcastle
's UEB announced a 4-day week (w/ pay) in April: "To help you try and achieve more of a balance between work and home-life we agreed to introduce a four-day business week [...] designed to help reduce the pressure on everyone."
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258
752
Students - we don't get paid for strike days. This year, that's 22 days of lost pay for those who were striking each day (i.e those striking care enough to lose over a MONTH of pay to stand up for HE) - care to ask the University management what they will be using that money for?
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Shout out to HR who are monitoring our tweets and sending us STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL emails about them...
Good thing we have a lawful right to communicate with our members...
7
73
531
Today we will be thinking about the neoliberal university - a university where most staff are on 120% workloads and management offers you a 'wellbeing seminar' to help you with stress and mental health. That's not the university we want. What does the civic university look like?
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102
513
We are disappointed that HR have threatened us with 100% pay deduction for participating in ASOS. We would view this as punitive and would seek to consult with members on escalating industrial action in response. The university clearly runs on staff goodwill and free labour.
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92
518
We go back to work on Monday.
Not today, not tomorrow - Monday.
Please do not burn yourself out by grafting all weekend following the latest communication. It's been a hard slog, so make sure you let yourself rest.
Don't overwork for the bosses; they won't thank you.
3
109
400
A reminder, for all of us struggling for a better university, that we're in this together. We're all affected by these issues, and the students (whether or not we teach them) are the soul of the university. They deserve us at our best selves.
#FourFights
#UCUStrikesBack
1
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Today's comic is about WAGES...
Our wages have seen real life decreases of 20% over the past 10 years. Meanwhile our VC's pay has seen a 20.6% INCREASE since 2015...
3
91
316
Where do student tuition fees go? We've worked it in terms of the costs per hour of education. Students, you may have some questions now....
@NewcastleSU
@CourierOnline
@ChronicleLive
@SkyNews
@BBCNews
@Channel4News
@guardian
7
240
298
We have received emails from former PhD students and precarious colleagues no longer in the sector wanting to make donations to our local strike fund ❤️❤️ we’re overwhelmed with the love ❤️ thank you!
0
25
293
Our marking boycott starts today. HR have threatened us with 100% pay docking (and a 25% ex-gratia payment), which means we are now effectively being LOCKED OUT of work. We have asked for our local negotiations to be brought forward from Wednesday but have yet to hear back
14
115
271
There's always noise in survey data & we can't claim we designed an unbiased survey, but the results are clear:
• Use fees to pay staff fairly (68 to 1)
• Lecturers should spend 31 min per essay
(10 min: 0; 20: 7; 25: 6; 30: 42; 35: 1; 40: 16)
• Students would strike (68 to 0)
2
109
262
The fact that the university has the money to fund the police to do nightly patrols of student hubs for the next 3+ months is news to us. Staff have to pay for any equipment needed to provide online learning from home because the uni can’t afford to (it says!)
3
70
242
Newcastle University management announces a 75% pay deduction for participation in the marking boycott. We believe that this is punitive and will be responding accordingly. Come to the EGM tomorrow.
3
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266
Today, at one of our largest EGMs to date, the majority of members voted to accept an updated offer from management. We will release a statement and the offer soon, but basically the offer commits the university to introducing a 37 hour week (down from 40 hours for most members)
6
45
264
We know you're angry and that it's very difficult to go back into work today when our pensions have been slashed by 35%. It's not exactly motivating. Worse, our own VC, Chris Day, is a member of UUK and voted to reject the UCU pension proposals. That won't be forgotten.
2
27
257
Historians say Make the Gender Pay Gap history!
3
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254
The university marketing team today posting
#IWD
tweets when the pay gap is 17.8%, when management has cut pensions by between 30 and 40%, when insecure contracts disproportionately affect women, and when they're taking all strike deductions from one pay packet.
2
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245
Disappointing that HR at Newcastle are trying to force staff to use their online form to declare strike action, making it easier to deduct salary in one go during cost of living crisis👎 It is *not* a legal requirement to use HR's form. Please use the template email we circulated
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Roses are Red
Sometimes they're pink
The casualisation problem
Is worse than you think
#BrokenHE
#ValentinesDayPickets
#LoveYourUnion
#LoveUCU
#OneOfUsAllOfUs
0
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Roses are red
Their leaves are green
Let's make the biggest picket lines
They've ever seen
#DefendUSS
#ValentinesPickets
#OneOfUsAllOfUs
#HoldTheLine
0
43
201
.
@NewcastleUniUCU
has moved to online teaching by default for THE REST OF THE SEMESTER. Equity with PS academic-related colleagues who can WFH until end of semester. More details in email circulated today - and more anon here - but stay safe, all, and take care.
1
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Bring on Day 3 of
@lyd_w
's Strike Comics, discussing how casualisation affects academic staff and how job expectations are higher than can be done in the expected hours worked.
#UCUStrikesBack
@NuAntiCas
1
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Could the press counter the stories of lecturers getting £80,000 per annum (sure, if one is a V-C?!) with this sort of thing - this is what casualised labour looks like in HE - students, this is your education at stake!
3
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The university made a SURPLUS in 2020-2021. There are millions in reserve. University Exec profited from our exhaustion and students' anxiety. We still haven't heard where exactly our strike pay is going. Make sure you vote YES in the reballot.
0
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167
Taking strike deductions from one pay packet instead of spreading them across a number of months is punitive and will impact on members protected by the Equality Act 2010 most. Once again, Newcastle University demonstrates its commitment to EDI does not extend beyond lip service
1
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166
BREAKING: it is now unavoidable, will be taking strike action as no attempt to negotiate has reached us from senior management. FIRST STRIKE DAY 23 JUNE, TOMORROW, THIS IS AN OPEN DAY! COME PICKET 3
#oneofusallofus
#settlethedispute
2
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173
A delegation from the branch went down to support the
@RMTunion
picket lines at Central Station. Unions from across the North East were there. An injury to one is an injury to all
#oneofusallofus
#SolidarityRMT
1
37
153
Hi
@UniofNewcastle
, remember you said that there HAD to be a promotion pay freeze and recruitment freeze because of loss of funding from international students? Any chance of a reversal, and back pay?
1
29
154
Last year was the 150th anniversary of the north-east engineers’ lockout in which Lord Armstrong, who founded Newcastle University, tried to starve his workers back to work. They were fighting for a 9-hour day and won.
We will win too
#SupportTheBoycott
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The Head of HR has been in touch to say that the VC is not willing to meet with us to discuss a resolution further. They didn't even ask why members rejected their offer. Negotiation (in good faith) is a dialogue that requires movement from both sides.
5
41
156
Our wonderful students have voted to support the
#UCUStrikes
here at Newcastle! Their support and solidarity means so much to us. Thank you ❤️
#OneOfUsAllOfUs
#UnitedWeStand
3
42
152
The university tells us they're 'very disappointed' we have resorted to strike action. We are very disappointed that they are not currently doing everything they can to negotiate a settlement to our reasonable demands that students support.
#Disappointing
0
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147
What a fantastic day. Brilliant, vibrant picket lines full of compassion and solidarity. Thank you everyone. Together we can build a better future for Higher Education ✊
#ucuRISING
1
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151
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 FROM
@UniofNewcastle
:
In the last seven days (1 Oct- 7 Oct):
• 1003 students
and
• 12 colleagues
in our university community have reported a positive test for Covid-19.
Yes, you're reading that right. Over 1000 new cases in the past 7 days.
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📢JOINT STATEMENT📢
Between Newcastle University UCU and Newcastle University Executive Board which welcome national talks between UCU and UCEA.
7
53
146
We hear that John Lewis gives 365 days paid parental leave up to a child's 18th birthday, to be taken as and when required.
@UniofNewcastle
provides 36, but max 2 days a year, and these must be non-consecutive. Because children are never sick two days in a row.
4
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131
If you think the shocking P&O staff treatment couldn't happen at universities, you haven't been paying attention. We need to shout louder this week - they didn't hear us the last time. WE WANT FAIR PAY, MANAGEABLE WORKLOADS, END TO CASUALISATION, END TO PAY GAPS, A FAIR PENSION
0
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138
📢Strike Dates Announced
In response to the punitive deductions our members are facing, our employer has been notified & we are announcing 5 days of strike on Fri 23rd, Mon 26th-Thu 29th June. This will coincide with open day & many exam boards.
#SettleTheDispute
#ucuRISING
@ucu
4
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145
As part of
#IWD2022
, any chance you could pay women in STEM (and all other sections) properly and give them a pension that won't push them into poverty? We want actions today, not this...
As part of
#IWD2022
celebrations, we’ve invited a series of inspirational women to speak on their contributions toward breaking the gender bias in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics ♀️🔬
#BreakTheBias
#STEM
2
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1
25
136
This is precisely the problem. Staff were striking outside the "shiniest new addition" today because
@UniofNewcastle
clearly has the money to pour into vanity projects. But when it comes to paying staff? Where is the commitment to your "human capital"?
#UCUStrikesBack
#FourFights
The Catalyst is officially open!✨ Find out more about our shiniest new addition to campus 👉
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1
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We have a negotiating meeting with the VC and head of HR tomorrow morning. We're hoping they've had a chance to look at the offers other institutions have made to staff and be willing to negotiate in good faith in order to end the dispute 🤞🤞
1
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138
We are so grateful for our students and the show of student-staff solidarity! Whether on the picket line or off, whether teaching staff or not, it's the students that make our jobs worthwhile. You are the heart of the university!
#FourFights
#UCUStrikesBack
UNITED WE STAND! Very welcome and much needed solidarity from students on picket line today
@newcastleuniucu
#ucustrike
#UCUstrikesback
0
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1
26
120
Day 3 starts off with a message appropriate to a Monday morning: Casualised staff, particularly PGs, are neglected and underpaid whilst they're expected to pour their energy into caring for students and applying for jobs. Thats 3FTE or more per person!
#FourFights
@lyd_w
0
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121
Another excellent day on the picket lines and while it was cold, it didn't rain! We met some students on the picket line, and our SU officers told us they've heard no complaints from students about the strike...
2
11
122
We return to work tomorrow, having been out for 7 days. We are back on the picket lines next Monday (28th) for 3 more days of action. In the meantime, what can you do?
3
36
123
We know members will be disappointed by our agonisingly close 49.5% result in the ballot. But we want to thank all GTVO activists for campaigning in the last 2 weeks, and all members who voted. It's a phenomenal result with huge support for strike action.
2
13
121
An amazing demonstration of support from
@NCL_English
students. Such a heartfelt thank you to all those who participated. Student support means so much. We know there are other groups of students making films - keep them coming!
#UCUStrikesBack
1
47
111
Let's show them what we northern lads and lasses are made of - there's snow on the ground, and snow coming down, but we are made of such fine stuff, we won't even notice. See you on the picket lines from 8!
2
15
109
Fantastic recognition of the work we are all doing to keep the university going, and to support students in this difficult time. Thank you
@prof_chrisday
,
@ProfJSanders
& everyone else on UEB.
3
21
119
.
@BBCNews
- it isn't a 'lecturers strike': it is a strike by those in different roles at
@UniofNewcastle
: IT, library, professional services, amongst others, and academics. We are all colleagues committed to the core business of teaching & research.
1
31
113
On Day 5 of UCUstrike, we want to make some noise about the specific issues facing our
@PGUCU_Newcastle
colleagues - we know they are juggling a LOT, sometimes more than we realise
#OneOfUsAllOfUs
0
56
114
Many thanks to Vice Chancellor
@prof_chrisday
for stopping by our picket line this morning to discuss the issues that have brought us here, especially casualisation.
@UniofNewcastle
@ucu
@UCUNorthern
@NuAntiCas
#UCUstrike
0
36
116
Very grateful to members for making it along to our EGM today to discuss our BDM response and the 'offer' from UCEA. Our feelings and position was clear: there is anger and majority agreement that this offer is not nearly enough. Not enough on any part of the 4 fights.
2
22
114
Any other university managements taking 10 days strike deductions from one pay packet during a cost of living crisis (JUST before increases if everything on 1 April) or is it just
@UniofNewcastle
?
@prof_chrisday
@ProfJSanders
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The University Executive Board ignored all our warnings and brought students back to campus. They now say that it’s our responsibility to keep them safe. Whose responsibility is it to keep us safe?
2
26
111
Precarity like this is unacceptable, and not to be dramatic, but it's destroying our profession and our futures.
#UCUStrikesBack
#UCUstrikes
0
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Here in the North East, you CAN’T see your extended family (parents, siblings etc) but you CAN teach students face-to-face and see your work colleagues at the university. Lucky us.
0
18
104
Well, here we are, back on strike. That means
@lyd_w
has created BRAND NEW STRIKE COMICS for
#UCUStrikesBack
#FourFights
.
3
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109
Everyone who's been on strike, been on picket lines, made banners, tweeted solidarity - well bloody done 👏👏!
This isna easy for any of us; but our branch is SOLID and the solidarity is palpable! We know we're on the right side, and by acting together we can win this!
1
20
115
One of our largest EGMs ever. A large majority voted in favour of accepting the offer from management and to call off the marking and assessment boycott (subject to confirmation of offer from management). We will release a statement soon.
1
24
112
An excellent start to our 10 days of strike, despite the miserable weather. 112 registered pickets and solidarity from unions across the region. Tomorrow we have TWO special guests.
@ucu
President
@zenscara
and
@IanLaveryMP
will visit the picket lines ✊🏻
0
16
104
There is a great deal of work to be done in the UCU office during picketing: too often this is done by female/junior members of the union. For IWD, make yr own tea and (crazy idea) wash up yr mug. Tidy up leaflets. Don't drop garbage on the table. And even take out the garbage!
1
17
100
The statistic "41% of staff at Newcastle Uni are on nonpermanent contracts" is only what the University will admit to. It doesn't include postgrads or zero-hours workers. Upwards of 70% of research staff are casualised. How is this "excellent"?
#UCUstrikes
3
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98
Shout out to all our amazing colleagues across 58 institutions today who are striking for a better future in HE. We are saying NO to the broken system.
#UCUstrikes
1
26
112
We need to
#ReclaimTheUniversity
because people are more important that buildings
#WeAreTheUniversity
#OneOfUsAllOfUs
0
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104
Solidarity with Just Eat workers who are demonstrating outside Greggs HQ today. While delivery drivers kept these businesses open during the pandemic and helped them profit millions, the company repays them by cutting delivery drivers wages during a cost of living crisis.
1
21
99
We will be on strike 23, 26-29 June, to stand up against the disproportional and punitive deductions Newcastle Uni is pushing on our members, without any willingness to negotiate them. Their escalation by ACTUALLY deducting people 100%-50% of their pay is extremely disappointing
1
33
109
A reminder that our branch was willing and keen to meet with management last week to try and resolve our dispute. We were locked out.
#ucumarkingboycott
2
41
105
We’re not saying this is a metaphor, but this pigeon died banging its head against Kings Gate (Newcastle University management building). We know how she feels…
3
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100
New week and
#Day8
of
#UCUStrikes
. Last week, UUK decided to cut our pensions by on average 35%. Bring that anger and rage to the picket lines and let's show them that we won't accept it. We pushed back and defended our pension in 2018, we can do it again.
1
30
96
We do not encourage anyone to "scramble" if it comes to this. Work at your usual pace, maintaining quality, & before you do, your line manager should say what tasks are being removed from your workload to compensate. No free work, not anymore.
2
20
93
V tired of how news outlets frame this as a lecturers' strike? We certainly are. We have a leaflet this week focusing on PS colleagues, & how the neoliberal structures of HE impact on their work & their lives.
1
45
87
Our strike comics today are about
#workload
. Our workload report () highlighted the massive mental and physical implications of overwork. We're at breaking point and this is not sustainable. We have to fight back now.
1
43
98
Remember, you are under no obligation to tell your line manager that you are taking strike action BEFORE the strike action. And you shouldn't.
0
26
93
Not a lecturers' strike. Our PS staff are giving a teach out on the history of professional services.
#UCUStrikesBack
#FourFights
1
22
95
Great turnout for the rally. Casualisation means uncertainty, it means exhaustion, it means juggling multiple jobs to scrape by, but being treated as if you're not really staff.
#UCUStrikesBack
#UCUstrikes
#UCUstrike
#WeWouldRatherBeTeaching
#PrecarityStory
1
33
91
Hey,
@USSbriefs
or
@timeshighered
, can we have a league table of members of
@UniversitiesUK
based on how soon they take the responsible decision to protect students and staff from
#COVID19
by closing?
5
33
86
What's this? The marvellous
@lyd_w
is back at it, creating her beloved Strike Comics! Watch this space for more each day!
#UCUStrikesBack
1
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89
They've committed to converting remaining contracts of 3-4 years service to open-ended contracts, to giving PGRs contracts, to a timeline for ending the gender, race, and disability pay gaps based on occupational groupings, and a staff survey with workload as a key feature.
2
11
88
Wondering whether to put an X in the YES box on your ballot? …
1
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85