Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
banner
unite0775m.bsky.social
Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
@unite0775m.bsky.social
Trade union branch for workers at the University of Cambridge, UK. Unite the Union Branch LE0775M. Meets 1st Monday in month (except b.h.) 13.00hrs mainly by Zoom

https://uniteuoc.org.uk/
Pinned
Our next branch meeting is on Monday 1st December at 1PM. Members should find a link and agenda in their email inboxes nearer the date.
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
University Rankings: Vice Chancellor Vanity Projects

1 Colin Riordan – Cardiff Uni Insane Building Spree (£300m)

2 Shearer West – Nottingham Uni (Castle Meadow mess £88m++)

3 Koen Lamberts – Sheffield Uni (£99m on The Wave)

Colin & Shearer moved on😉😲

Staff are still losing their jobs
November 29, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Burning of Universities continues

Job losses this year exceed 10000

This is happening while the ruling party includes an unprecedented number of academics among its MPs

Let's hope their political careers work out ... because there'll be few university jobs to go back to 😲
Some 10,000 jobs could be lost each year at UK universities as leaders continue to cut staff numbers to tackle ongoing financial problems, new analysis suggests. Helen Packer reports
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-universities-could-cut-10000-jobs-every-year-v-c-predicts
November 28, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
The ballot closed today. Thank you to all who voted. The results will probably be available next week. Let's hope we get a strong vote for action, allowing us to fight for an increase on the insulting 1.4% offer. Results from the other HE unions should be out next week as well.
November 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The ballot closed today. Thank you to all who voted. The results will probably be available next week. Let's hope we get a strong vote for action, allowing us to fight for an increase on the insulting 1.4% offer. Results from the other HE unions should be out next week as well.
November 28, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Yesterday saw another strong day of action at Imperial, with members and students standing shoulder to shoulder with @unison.org.uk and unite colleagues.

Today is the final day of this week’s strikes.

Show your support for colleagues and students fighting for education!
November 28, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
🚨NEW: England wide strike action to hit 33 colleges

Our members will down tools for 3 days in January in a fight for pay unless we get decent offers.

Time for management to start negotiating!

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1427...

#NewDealForFE
England wide strike action to hit 33 colleges in January over fight for fair pay
Staff at 33 colleges across England are set to down tools for three days in January over low pay and poor working conditions.
www.ucu.org.uk
November 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
🚨BREAKING: “With fire and rehire and zero hours contracts not being banned, the Employment Rights Bill is already unrecognisable.
These constant row backs will only damage workers’ confidence that the protections promised will be worth the wait” @unitesharon.bsky.social 
November 27, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
We need ALL workers to be entitled to all employment rights from day 1.

This isn’t over.

✊Back the campaign for an #EmploymentRightsBill2 here: bit.ly/DemandERB2

#StrikeMap #EmploymentRightsBill #WorkersRights #Workers #TradeUnions #UnionPower
November 27, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
👍👍👍Hey hey hey! We did it - over 500 today! C'mon, let's get to...600??!
November 27, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
📣 "Cut sanctions. Not benefits", Unite Community & disability activists tell MPs.
Benefits cuts & sanctions bite hard as the cold comes in. Cold Homes Kill ❄️
November 27, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹: 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲

The employment rights bill is a shell of its former self.

With fire and rehire and zero hours contracts not being banned, the Bill is already unrecognisable. 1/2
November 27, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
University HR personnel are 'equal opportunity bullies'

If you speak out, you'll be mistreated -- even if you're emeritus

"Your behaviour has created grounds for an immediate & far-reaching investigation into you" said the HR Director with a thin smile

www.timeshighereducation.com/news/free-sp...
Free speech fears as campus critics denied emeritus status
More transparency needed on how titles are awarded, academics say, as some believe they have lost out after criticising their institution
www.timeshighereducation.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Imperial College management crying poor .... while splashing £2bn on buildings

They cook the numbers, cut real pay & call it ‘benchmarking’

Maybe try respecting the people who keep the place running instead of gaslighting them

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1426...
4 days of strikes begin tomorrow at Imperial College London over real terms pay cuts
Imperial College London staff will down tools tomorrow in a fight for a fair pay award, the University and College Union (UCU) confirmed today
www.ucu.org.uk
November 27, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
“Labour said education would drive economic growth.

Yesterday we saw nothing for FE, and a dog’s dinner for HE.

With 15,000 HE jobs at risk and staff leaving FE, we don’t have the mechanisms needed to deliver growth.” @drjogrady.bsky.social yesterday.
November 27, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Important branch meeting coming up on Monday 1st December at 1PM. Members should find a link and agenda in their email inboxes nearer the date.
November 26, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Cambridge University spends > £400k on injunctions over protests

Universities now mainly exist to channel public money to lawyers ...

... corporate advisers, reputation managers & external consultants

www.varsity.co.uk/news/30669
Uni splashed over £400,000 on controversial protest lawyers
Universities across the country spent almost £1.4 million on legal advice to tackle encampments
www.varsity.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Crisis of underfunding didn’t just “happen”

It was overseen by UniversitiesUK, who represent University Vice Chancellors

They're now pretending to be helpless bystanders

There’s excuses, hand-wringing … but absolutely no one taking responsibility

www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/c...
Universities receiving £6.4bn a year less for teaching students compared to a decade ago
New analysis from Universities UK (UUK) shows the scale of underfunding English universities face in teaching today’s home students, compared to ten years ago.
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
November 25, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
"Sadness in the room .. people in floods of tears, with their heads on the desk"

200 staff at University of Derby are facing redundancy

Yet £75m spent on new Cavendish Building

It's screaming flashy infrastructure is valued more than teaching staff

www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-n...
University of Derby staff to strike before Christmas as redundancy threat looms
'We will be preparing for strike action to protect members' jobs'
www.derbytelegraph.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Rachel Reeves could have taxed wealth & profits.
She could have invested in jobs & services.
“The chancellor has picked a side. Health workers, engineers & tanker drivers will pay through stealth taxes, while city bankers & billionaires go largely unscathed” @unitesharon.bsky.social
 
Unite budget response: Stealth taxes are workers paying the price, this is the wrong choice
In response to today’s budget Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
www.unitetheunion.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
🚨BUDGET 2026

On the fundamental issues of who pays for the crisis and the investment required to back British industry, the wrong decisions are being made.

Millions of workers are being forced to live hand to mouth, surviving rather than living. 1/3 ⤵️
November 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
😡 Fresh Birmingham agency bin worker bullying revealed

The public ranking of the drivers’ tachograph infringements is just another bullying tactic, along with blacklisting threats, to keep them in line.
November 25, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
People are hurting, this budget needs to be there for working people and those with less.

We need to look at a #WealthTax.
November 25, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Strikes start today at Imperial.

2% below-inflation offer, misrepresented benchmarking, and levelling down parental leave, while billions are spent elsewhere.

Stand with staff and show your support.

www.ucu.org.uk/article/1426...
4 days of strikes begin tomorrow at Imperial College London over real terms pay cuts
Imperial College London staff will down tools tomorrow in a fight for a fair pay award, the University and College Union (UCU) confirmed today
www.ucu.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
A huge turnout in Nottingham today, around 300 staff and students standing together against cuts.
Powerful speeches, real solidarity, and a clear message: we won’t let our universities be dismantled.

We are the university. ✊if you’ve not voted there is still time! Get it in!
@uonucu.bsky.social
November 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Reposted by Unite the Union: University of Cambridge Branch
Still time to vote, just!
November 24, 2025 at 6:06 PM