UCU
@ucu
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University and College Union, UK trade union for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers & academic-related staff in further and higher education.
UK
Joined November 2008
We put your questions to Education Minister Jacqui Smith @Jacqui_Smith1 . Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel from Wednesday 5 February.
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🚨BREAKING🚨. EVERY SINGLE UK UNIVERSITY WILL BE SHUT DOWN WITH 18 DAYS OF STRIKE ACTION ACROSS FEBRUARY AND MARCH. RT if you support our members. #ucuRISING
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We want as much coverage as possible for our members and their incredible action. But we draw the line at the S*n. Justice for the 97. #ucuRISING
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We aren't going to share Kemi Badenoch's typically insulting comments about universities, but we will say this:. Those that seek to devalue education understand its value - and its power - all too well. And they're terrified of it.
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WE DID IT!. Our union has smashed the threshold and delivered a massive YES vote in the pay and conditions ballot. History has been made. #ucuRISING
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FWIW, we haven't received any support from Keir Starmer in our disputes since he became leader of the Labour party . When we win game changing deals in further and higher education, it will be down to the determination of our members and the support of the movement.
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Today, 70,000 UCU members begin historic strike action at every university in the UK. They are fighting to save higher education. RT if you stand with them. #ucuRISING
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Our position is consistent and clear: . -teaching this term should be online. -our sectors need emergency funding. -students who cannot, or do not want to return to campus, should be released from accommodation contracts. Public health is too important for more half measures!.
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Every single university in the UK will strike on the following dates:. Nov 2️⃣4️⃣. Nov 2️⃣5️⃣. Nov 3️⃣0️⃣. 70,000 UCU members will be delivering the biggest picket lines in our history . RT if you stand with them. #ucuRISING
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BREAKING: NOTICE SERVED ON UNIVERSITY EMPLOYERS. 18 days of strike action in February and March. 1 Feb.9, 10 Feb.14, 15, 16 Feb.21, 22, 23 Feb.27, 28 Feb. 1, 2 March .16, 17 March .20, 21, 22 March . RT if you back our members. UCU and PROUD. #ucuRISING
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🚨BREAKING: YOU DID IT! . We have agreed a two week period of calm after breakthroughs in talks covering: . - pensions.- ending zero hour contracts.- ending casualisation.- tackling workload.- pay . Watch and RT. #ucuRISING
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Schools - online ✅ .Colleges - online ✅ .Universities - ❓❓❓. If Vice Chancellors want to show proper leadership they would email all their staff and students now and make it clear it is not safe to travel across the country for teaching. Not now. Not during the next 6 weeks.
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Today, university staff go on strike. They are striking for decent pay, pensions and secure employment. They are striking for students. They are striking for the future of higher education . RT IF YOU BACK THEM. #ucuRISING
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BREAKING🚨: A new joint statement between @UCU and @UniversitiesUK has confirmed that USS pension benefits are on course to be restored in full. All cuts imposed in April 2022 will be reversed, pending the 2023 valuation. History makers ✊. #ucuTOGETHER.
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This is so powerful. Students are finishing university with TBC instead of grades and staff are still receiving punitive salary deductions. The bosses could have ended this dispute well before graduations. This is all on you, @UCEA1. #ucuRISING .
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🚨 HUGE WIN at the Open University 🚨. *4,800* staff will be brought off fixed-term and onto permanent contracts, in the biggest ever de-casualisation programme in UK higher education. This deal shows the way for the entire sector. Full story 👇.
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UCU stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for freedom, justice and equality. The UK government must demand an immediate end to Israel's bombardment of Gaza & the illegal occupation, and work to uphold the Palestinian people's inalienable rights.
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RT THE HELL OUT OF THIS 🔥. Inch by inch. Member by member. University by university. Tomorrow we rise. #ucuRISING
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'I will not sit here and let nurses be put in the firing line for doing what is right for them and their patients'. @DrJoGrady on #PoliticsLive 💪. #FairPayforNursing
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As pressure on @UniversitiesUK grows, we make it 17 VCs so far to call for talks to end the dispute: Aberdeen, Strathclyde, Kent, Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, Bangor, Warwick, Loughborough, Newcastle, Glasgow, LSHTM, Sheffield, Essex, Lancaster, Durham, Keele & Surrey #USSstrikes.
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🚨BREAKING: Strikes at 44 unis over USS pensions are ON from Monday. Employers today failed to accept our viable proposals for the scheme, having had 2 weeks to consider them. Responsibility for disruption lies firmly with them. It is in their gift to resolve the dispute.
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Yesterday on the BBC, @DrJoGrady was told by a Tory MP that 'the lecturers have to get back to work.'. This was her response 👇
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Wearing a £10k Rolex whilst telling education workers they won’t be getting a pay rise. You couldn’t make it up
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Our union is unequivocally pro trans. And attacks like this show exactly why we need to continue to fight for trans rights. We’ve just helped set up the Trade Unions for Trans Rights Network . Read about it in this blog by our GS @DrJoGrady 💪.
Is not fit for purpose. Every single woman friend who is also an academic has left his union because she does not support women she fail to protect women who were bullied because they believed that you cannot change your sex. She is an utter disgrace.
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University bosses: turnout on picket lines is very low, very low energy strikes. Staff and students:
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🚨UCU members at universities across the UK begin three days of strike action today in defence of pay and pensions and to fight against pay gaps and job insecurity. Tweet your support and visit your nearest picket line if you can ✊. #OneOfUsAllOfUs.
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Possibly the cutest picket supervisor?🐶😍. The University of Exeter is RISING ✊. #ucuRISING
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Israel has systematically destroyed the Palestinian education system in its war on Gaza, bombing every university in the strip. It’s our duty as educators to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. Listen to the inspiring words of our member @RafeefZiadah:
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From today, university staff begin their 7th, 8th and 9th day of strike action. They aren't just fighting for decent pay, conditions and pensions but to save higher education. Support them, stand with them. #ucuRISING
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This recommendation was made by SAGE 3 weeks ago. This was before teaching had begun at a lot of universities. Major outbreaks could have been prevented! . The government ignored our warnings, and they ignored SAGE’s instructions.
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'Trans people are threatened, intimidated & dehumanised - often by people who should know better. It is shameful. As trade unionists we should refuse to support or contribute to this'. Our Gen Sec @DrJoGrady demands the trade union movement do better for trans & non-binary people
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🚨‼️ BREAKING: USS trustees have confirmed that the basis for cuts has disappeared, as assets hit £88bn. We need you to urgently: . ❌ Lobby your VC to ask UUK to revoke the cuts: 📝 Sign the emergency petition to the JNC chair:
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University staff are striking today. We won’t let bosses destroy our pensions. #OneOfUsAllOfUs .
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We strongly condemn St Andrews’ dismissal of Stella Maris from the university governing board and demand her immediate reinstatement:
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Today, at a meeting of the education select committee, a Conservative MP shamelessly accused higher education staff of not "pulling together” during the pandemic. Here was @DrJoGrady’s response. #OneOfUsAllOfUs
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🧵Today, government cuts to arts and humanities courses were confirmed by @officestudents. These courses face a 50% cut to their subsidies, which will make many unviable, forcing them to close. Here are the courses that are effected:. Performing arts .Music.Drama.Dance.Art. 1/.
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BREAKING. Management at QMUL are asking students to snitch on members of staff if they speak about why they are on strike. This is another disgraceful attempt at intimidating workers taking lawful industrial action. RT IF YOU CONDEMN THIS BULLYING. #ucuRISING
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Deeply shameful comments from @DavidLammy attacking GMB, Unite and RMT members standing up for their jobs, pay and conditions. Workers are not a photo opportunity that Labour MPs can pick up and drop when they like. Either stand with us or get out the way.
Labour's David Lammy says he doesn't support BA workers at Heathrow taking strike action, which may disrupt summer holiday plans for passengers.
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Solidarity with the Palestinian general strike from UCU, the largest post-16 education union in the world. 🇵🇸 . #PalestineOnStrike.
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Turns out, instead of attacking unions, he should've joined one.
Kwasi Kwarteng MP has been sacked as chancellor three weeks after his mini-budget unleashed chaos in the economy. He was appointed to the role by Liz Truss only 38 days ago. More here:
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Today, 70,000 UCU members resume strike action at UK universities. They are sick of being told a sector worth £40bn can't afford decent pay and pensions. And they are sick of millionaire vice chancellors denying them job security. RT IF YOU SUPPORT THEIR FIGHT. #ucuRISING
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We will be meeting with @USSEmployers this afternoon, after the strikes brought them back to the table. We hope they will now seriously engage with us and we can start discussing how we move forward. #UCUStrike #UCUStrikesBack.
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If this organisation was to have any credibility it needed a robust board looking out for students’ interests. Instead we have this announcement sneaked out at new year with Tory cheerleader Toby Young dressed up as the voice of teachers and no representation of staff or students
Toby Young to help lead government's new universities regulator
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University bosses voted yesterday to cut guaranteed retirement income by 35%+. @UniversitiesUK, the VC's club, say this cut "brings a considerable period of uncertainty to an end." . Easy to say when you're swimming in salaries & expenses as high as £580k. Beneath contempt.
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We condemn Oxford vice chancellor Irene Tracey in the strongest possible terms for bringing in police to violently arrest her own students, engaged in peaceful protest against genocide. @UniversitiesUK must make clear to university leaders that this repression is unacceptable.
We are aware that students staging a peaceful sit-in at the University Offices in Wellington Square have been arrested by police and that further arrests of students and supporters have been threatened. 1/3.
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“Bristol University students living in halls are going on a rent strike and will be withholding over £1 million in rent money”.
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BREAKING: 70,000 UCU members to strike on 1 February. Notice for 17 more days of strike action, scheduled to take place during February and March, will be served next week. We are proud to be taking action on 1 February with our fellow unions. #ucuRISING.
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Jeremy's support for our members over many years has been tireless. He has been to countless picket lines and events, and never fails to lift everyone’s spirits. True solidarity ✊.
This morning I joined @DrJoGrady on the @ucu picket at Bush House to stand with striking staff and students fighting pension cuts and gender, race and disability pay gaps. @KCL_UCU, this a dispute that not only can you win, but one you will win. #ucustrike
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To all striking train drivers today: We stand with you and your union . Solidarity @ASLEFunion ✊.
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Universities are sitting on £40,000,000,000 in reserves. Just 3% of that would settle our pay claim. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you the sector can’t afford to pay staff properly. It’s a lie. @DrJoGrady on @BBCNewsnight:. #ucuRISING
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STRIKES at 68 universities are ON from Monday. On Pensions: We have been in negotiations with UUK all week but university bosses are refusing to back down from their 35% cut to our guaranteed retirement income. #OneOfUsAllOfUs.
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We are so grateful for the support of MPs who are queueing up to condemn attacks on university staff. Thank you, @jeremycorbyn . #uucRISING
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🚨BREAKING🚨. Strike action is set to begin at 58 universities next month. To avoid disruption to campuses across the UK university bosses must revoke pension cuts & make an improved offer on pay & working conditions . #OneOfUsAllOfUs.
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🚨UCU STATEMENT. Keir Starmer's U-turn on tuition fees could condemn millions of future students to a life of debt. Our general secretary @DrJoGrady 👇
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🚨WE DID IT! THE BEST COLLEGE BALLOT RESULTS SINCE THE TORIES BROUGHT IN THEIR ANTI-UNION BILL! 🚨. ➡️89.9% YES VOTE. ➡️57.9% TURNOUT. NOW 39 ENGLISH COLLEGES WILL FACE STRIKE ACTION OVER PAY ✊ . #RespectFE.
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🚨 BREAKING . Union and employers agree talks at Acas from Monday. Your support has delivered this development. Now we need it to deliver an agreement you deserve. EVERY MEMBER ON THE PICKET TOMORROW . #ucuRISING
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The managed decline of our living standards is a war on working people . We're proud to join @eiecampaign - because we cannot wait for political parties to deliver the change we need . #EnoughIsEnough.
NEW: #EnoughlsEnough announces its first new affiliation. Welcome aboard, @ucu! We have your back in the fight for a real pay rise for education workers 👊. Join our growing movement:
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Incredible scenes at UCU Congress 2023 as the entire hall reaffirms that trans rights are human rights 🏳️⚧️ . Our union stands unequivocally with the trans community. #ucuTOGETHER
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University vice-chancellors are reporting "low impact" picket lines . The pickets👇.#ucuRISING
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We have written to @BorisJohnson & @pritipatel calling for the instant withdrawal of the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill. There is mounting evidence of abuses of power by police & it is clear that extending the force's powers risks further endangering women & minorities
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BREAKING NEWS: UCU members at 74 universities to take 14 days of strikes in February and March. Union says it will also ballot for a fresh mandate to continue the action if disputes on #USS and #FourFights cannot be resolved. Full details here -
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We send our solidarity to the many thousands of university students and staff across the world who are taking a stand against their institutions' complicity in Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza. Full statement 👇
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Glad you've changed your minds. Can you let @acasorguk know? They still have you scheduled in for 3:30pm on Wednesday. We'll be at Acas tomorrow. What time? #USSstrikes
@nicholasggrant @ucu We're very happy to meet tomorrow. .
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Vice-chancellor of @Cambridge_Uni says #USS needs to retain the DB element, staff should be paid if they reschedule classes lost during strikes, Cambridge will not deduct pay for action short of a strike & he is frustrated by bargaining process #USSstrike.
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🚨BREAKING🚨. 76% of UCU members have voted in favour of taking strike action over USS pension cuts . In just three weeks we have delivered a strong, unequivocal YES vote and an overall turnout that beats the Tory anti-union threshold 💪. #OneOfUsAllOfUs.
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UCU says staff have reached "breaking point" over a number of issues, including workloads, real-terms cuts in pay, a 15% gender pay gap and changes to #USS pensions. #UCUStrike #UCUStrikesBack.
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Meet 24 of the top vice chancellors who voted to cut our pensions by 35%. At last count, they took home £9,000,000 between them annually. Shameful.
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Just a few picket pups from today 🐶. REPLY to this tweet with dogs and any other animals on your picket line today 👇. #ucuRISING
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THIS IS A MUST WATCH. Journalist tries desperately to turn students against staff. Students respond saying vice-chancellors are on overinflated salaries and need to put staff on proper contracts and pay them fairly. It's staff and students Vs bosses . #ucuRISING
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Staff Students . 🤝. staff working conditions are . student learning conditions.
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🚨BREAKING. We can confirm that USS is £7.4bn in surplus, and we are on track to restore UCU members pensions and significantly reduce the cost of their monthly contributions. We’ll use the coming months to ensure employers fulfil their obligations. Your action did this 💪.
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Even if you can't visit one of our pickets you can show your support for UCU staff on strike this week by sharing these graphics on social media.#OneOfUsAllOfUs #UCUstrike ✊
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Lots of people don't realise how difficult it is to work in higher education. UCU member Chris explains what it's really like👇. Watch, RT, back our members.#ucuRISING
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🚨HUGE divestment win 🚨. USS, Britain’s biggest private pension scheme, has dumped £80,000,000 of Israeli assets, including government bonds. We won’t stop here: we will continue pusshing for full divestment from Israel’s war machine & its genocide in Gaza ✊🇵🇸.
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Wow!. In a @UniversitiesUK & @UCEA1 press conference, vice chancellors compared staff working from home during the pandemic with taking strike action. "We have been able to cope with 0% of staff coming on campus [during covid], so I am sure we can cope with this” . Disgraceful.
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What an interview by Steve, a final year student:. 'The conditions that staff are having to work under to provide education are immoral. And it is vice chancellors who are responsible. It is their duty to end these strikes.' 🔥. #ucuRISING
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🚨IMPORTANT UPDATE🚨. University management are attempting to intimidate UCU members ahead of taking strike action - we will not accept this. Please read and RT. #ucuRISING
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PENSION BALLOT: SMASHED!. We’ve delivered an unprecedented turnout and a huge YES vote. UCU and proud. #ucuRISING
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Staff at 68 universities are on strike today. Watch @DrJoGrady on @BBCPolitics setting out why👇. #OneOfUsAllOfUs
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BREAKING: Chester is down to ZERO compulsory redundancies. The university had originally tried to sack 86 staff . Our members in Chester deserve huge credit, they recruited, built density, organised, fought back & WON. There is power in a union💪.
An email today to staff from VC Eunice Simmons acknowledges that 'academic redundancies have been avoided' this year. Well done to all our members and student and public supporters for making this happen. #noredundancieschester #reclaimouruniversity (1).
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🚨University vice chancellors have today chosen to steal tens of thousands of pounds from staff pensions. But this dispute is far from over and on Friday our union's higher education committee will be deciding next steps - including escalating action. #OneOfUsAllOfUs
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BREAKING: 68 universities will face up to 10 days of UK wide strikes starting in February. There is still time to prevent disruption, but employers need to drop their pension cuts & take long-overdue action on pay & conditions. #OneOfUsAllOfUs.
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Increasing student loan repayments ‘would save government £4bn a year’
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University employers, represented by UCEA, still refuse to even seriously acknowledge the scourge of casualisation. Let’s take a look at Vice Chancellor pay alongside the extent of precarity at some top institutions 🧐🧵.
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This is a spiteful attack on workers everywhere from a party that has run out of options & will soon be run out of office. We will not stand by while Tory MPs try to force our members to cross their own picket lines. And the whole movement will be with us.
University students are being let down by relentless strikes. We want to end this disruption and the resulting impact on their education. So today, I’m announcing that we will consult to introduce minimum service levels in universities so students get the teaching they deserve
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