QM_UCU
@qmucu.bsky.social
1.7K followers 3.3K following 2.2K posts
Local University & College Union branch at Queen Mary University of London. || Account checked only part-time; allow time for responses or reach us via email. https://qmucu.org/
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qmucu.bsky.social
Quick digest of what's happening
⭐️ reorganisation: qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
⭐️ management break-in in union office: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
⭐️ punitive deductions: qmucu.org/2023/09/12/l...
⭐️ legal challenge to deductions: qmucu.org/working-grou...
⭐️ news: qmucu.org/itn/ pic.x.com/Skb3gbpm86
leaflet with black background an orange, salmon, teal, and baby blue boxes with info
what is happening? outsourcing, snitch forms, centralisation, grade 1 lingers, reorganisation, redefining pgr, student-staff ratio, union busting, surveillance. These interventions are communicated in isolation but together irrevocably change the nature of QMUL. They all are justified by financial savings, yet there is little accountability about the accounts, projections, and miscalculations. Staff & students should be involved in these decision making processes, receive transparency about financial justifications, and set priorities. leafletwith black backgound and orang and teal boxes entitled "let's act together."  we need transparency, students and staff are the university, we are collectively affected by restructures
qmucu.bsky.social
We’ve moved from a frustrated “here we go again, every year the same dance” to “hang on, this is piling up, we’re HOOKED now.”
qmucu.bsky.social
Plus ça change…
Reposted by QM_UCU
newcastleucu.bsky.social
Not a good look - not a good look at all….
qmucu.bsky.social
Where is the money? @qmul.bsky.social haven't paid many cleaners their overtime since August; unions haven’t had their Facilities Time paid since August; many Teaching Associates & Teaching Fellows have not had any pay in September. All since the new financial year.
Where is the money? Cleaners, teaching associates, and trade unions haven’t had any of the money that isn’t part of the regular payroll since the beginning of the new financial year
qmucu.bsky.social
Absolutely why we’re on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/posts/queen-...)

But it’s so full of AI slop we doubt we’ll ever thwart managers’ attempts at never hearing a member of staff. Ever.
qmucu.bsky.social
Fix the economy, Starmer.

We have no power over changing the economy; to blame universities for its ills and using it to hit us (& get ever more culture warriors on us) is just bullying.
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'A “challenging” graduate labour market in the UK could further erode trust in the higher education sector, with the “bad times” showing little sign of ending.'

All the more reason to have a serious, nationwide discussion of what universities do and what they are for.
Faith in universities ‘at new low’ as graduate jobs dry up
Challenging economic conditions may have led to bump in student recruitment numbers this year but experts fear long-term damage after institutions pegged futures to employability agenda
www.timeshighereducation.com
Reposted by QM_UCU
eicathomefinn.bsky.social
'It is the third consecutive year the university has announced job cuts, having confirmed a reduction of 40 roles in October 2024 and 100 in November 2023.'
University of Staffordshire proposes to cut nearly 70 jobs
The university says the proposed reduction in staff comes are in response to financial challenges.
www.bbc.co.uk
Reposted by QM_UCU
qmucu.bsky.social
Here's your earworm for the rest of the week:
picture of a banner hung up at QMUL's ArtsOne building. It's a drawing of  Rihanna with the text "Bailey Better Have My Money"
Reposted by QM_UCU
qmucu.bsky.social
Nearly at £5,000! Hugely grateful to everyone donating what they can afford and to everyone helping in sharing the crowdfund 🙏

Let's get us over that £5,000 and further: chuffed.org/project/1522...
qmucu.bsky.social
Please consider donating to support one of the @gaza40.bsky.social in their studies @qmul.bsky.social. They’ve won a prestigious studentship but cost in London and high.

Donate here: chuffed.org/project/1522...
Support a grad student at QMUL
Reposted by QM_UCU
goldsmithsucu.bsky.social
This is part of the University Rank-and-File campaign to turn the dispute into a trade dispute for a sustainable and just funding model.
📣 Read more and get involved: www.universityrankandfile.org.uk/campaigns/ed...
University Rank-and-File - Editorial: Winning the ballot on our terms
Editorial: Winning the ballot on our terms
www.universityrankandfile.org.uk
Reposted by QM_UCU
goldsmithsucu.bsky.social
🚨Today we passed a motion asking for red lines for the 25/26 HE dispute:
✊ Moratorium on redundancies & course closures
✊ Enforce national agreements & fair pay for all
✊ Sector-wide 35-hrs week, no pay loss
We want to win this dispute on our terms!
bit.ly/4nIKgQF
Motion on 'red lines' for 26/25 HE joint dispute - Goldsmiths University and College Union
This motion was passed at the branch meeting on 13/10/2025. Please find the full text below: 2025-26 HE Joint Union Pay Dispute – Red Lines Motion This branch notes: This ...
bit.ly
Reposted by QM_UCU
judedoherty.bsky.social
On Thursday 2nd October, I spoke at the UCU rally at the University of Nottingham - not to complain about lost lectures, but to stand up for what's right.

#UCU #Nottingham #StudentsSupportStaff #FairnessFirst #UoN #SaveOurStaff
#EducationNotCuts #StandWithUCU @ucu.org.uk
qmucu.bsky.social
Brilliant students refusing management's attempts at pitting them against their teachers and support staff, and so clearly articulating what the university is about in the first place: 🥰

Brilliant support like this is what keeps us fighting for the soul of the university.

Have a listen, #UKHE
judedoherty.bsky.social
On Thursday 2nd October, I spoke at the UCU rally at the University of Nottingham - not to complain about lost lectures, but to stand up for what's right.

#UCU #Nottingham #StudentsSupportStaff #FairnessFirst #UoN #SaveOurStaff
#EducationNotCuts #StandWithUCU @ucu.org.uk
qmucu.bsky.social
Nearly at £5,000! Hugely grateful to everyone donating what they can afford and to everyone helping in sharing the crowdfund 🙏

Let's get us over that £5,000 and further: chuffed.org/project/1522...
qmucu.bsky.social
Please consider donating to support one of the @gaza40.bsky.social in their studies @qmul.bsky.social. They’ve won a prestigious studentship but cost in London and high.

Donate here: chuffed.org/project/1522...
Support a grad student at QMUL
qmucu.bsky.social
Here's your earworm for the rest of the week:
picture of a banner hung up at QMUL's ArtsOne building. It's a drawing of  Rihanna with the text "Bailey Better Have My Money"
qmucu.bsky.social
Sadly, yes. Not sure that they realise just what they’re setting in motion by destroying this vital public good…
qmucu.bsky.social
Ack! What all that psychoanalysing…

Check if your university’s career service can book you in for a conversation. Many universities do continue to support alumni (in a very self-serving way, as it’s good for stats, but worth using to demystify on some of those weird questionnaires!)
qmucu.bsky.social
Thanks so much for amplifying!
qmucu.bsky.social
I saw myself write it and starting to hope someone with the skills would actually make them…
Reposted by QM_UCU
ukhenews.bsky.social
Supporting universities was never going to score populist points.

But the reputation of the sector did not have to be as politically toxic as it is.

Maybe HE staff and students need to regain control over sector leadership from the VC cabal at UUK?
qmucu.bsky.social
*FIFTEEN THOUSAND JOBS LOST*.
If this were in a sector in which the PM could go and do a photoshoot looking like One Of The People, we’d have had a government intervention by now.
lopa.bsky.social
Cuts equivalent to 15,000 jobs planned at UK universities – UCU www.timeshighereducation.com/news/cuts-eq...
Reposted by QM_UCU
matildaf.bsky.social
Please share and donate if you can afford it
qmucu.bsky.social
Please consider donating to support one of the @gaza40.bsky.social in their studies @qmul.bsky.social. They’ve won a prestigious studentship but cost in London and high.

Donate here: chuffed.org/project/1522...
Support a grad student at QMUL
qmucu.bsky.social
Did @QMUL.bsky.social just get petty with the petty cash?

Or is there a cashflow problem – waiting for student fees to come in perhaps?
qmucu.bsky.social
Where is the money? @qmul.bsky.social haven't paid many cleaners their overtime since August; unions haven’t had their Facilities Time paid since August; many Teaching Associates & Teaching Fellows have not had any pay in September. All since the new financial year.
Where is the money? Cleaners, teaching associates, and trade unions haven’t had any of the money that isn’t part of the regular payroll since the beginning of the new financial year
qmucu.bsky.social
This is actually a very good point. We’ve got about four unfinished building sites on our Mile End campus alone.

We can make it in the shape of one of those caps 👨‍🎓 if needs be.