QM_UCU
@qmucu.bsky.social
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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QM_UCU
@qmucu.bsky.social
· Nov 15
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
⭐️ 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
Reposted by QM_UCU
It feels so so strange, and people are so quiet about this.
Well done to @qmucu.bsky.social for speaking truth about the implosion of the UK HE sector. Too many people are in denial. There are no jobs for us newbies and now they're coming for those fortunate enough to be established. Read this list of the ongoing cut and closures
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
a live page of all the redundancies and restructures happening across UK Higher Education. Page is updated regularly.
qmucu.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:29 AM
It feels so so strange, and people are so quiet about this.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Apropos of nothing: it is astonishingly clear how badly the marketisation of UK universities has failed. The architects of the fee system have enabled a system where half of institutions are no longer financially viable www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-provider...
December 9, 2025 at 10:44 AM
Apropos of nothing: it is astonishingly clear how badly the marketisation of UK universities has failed. The architects of the fee system have enabled a system where half of institutions are no longer financially viable www.officeforstudents.org.uk/for-provider...
Expensive silence though, as that Freedom of Information request last Autumn showed: uk-highereducation.neocities.org
December 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Expensive silence though, as that Freedom of Information request last Autumn showed: uk-highereducation.neocities.org
Reposted by QM_UCU
Because the most powerful and effective collective action in UK academia is that which unites the Vice Chancellors (UUK, Russel group). No public in-fighting. Clear messages. Silent when necessary.
#inspirational
#inspirational
Always happy to welcome more friends into club-of-demanding-an-end-to-this-mess, but why does every VC see the light only *after* they retired and set aside all power & responsibility?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
'The next Scottish government should “waste no time” in launching a review into how the nation’s post-16 education system is funded, a former vice-chancellor has said.'
The current Westminster government should do so now, the British Academy argues. 1/2
The current Westminster government should do so now, the British Academy argues. 1/2
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Because the most powerful and effective collective action in UK academia is that which unites the Vice Chancellors (UUK, Russel group). No public in-fighting. Clear messages. Silent when necessary.
#inspirational
#inspirational
Reposted by QM_UCU
Well done to @qmucu.bsky.social for speaking truth about the implosion of the UK HE sector. Too many people are in denial. There are no jobs for us newbies and now they're coming for those fortunate enough to be established. Read this list of the ongoing cut and closures
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
UK HE shrinking
a live page of all the redundancies and restructures happening across UK Higher Education. Page is updated regularly.
qmucu.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Well done to @qmucu.bsky.social for speaking truth about the implosion of the UK HE sector. Too many people are in denial. There are no jobs for us newbies and now they're coming for those fortunate enough to be established. Read this list of the ongoing cut and closures
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
qmucu.org/qmul-transfo...
Always happy to welcome more friends into club-of-demanding-an-end-to-this-mess, but why does every VC see the light only *after* they retired and set aside all power & responsibility?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
'The next Scottish government should “waste no time” in launching a review into how the nation’s post-16 education system is funded, a former vice-chancellor has said.'
The current Westminster government should do so now, the British Academy argues. 1/2
The current Westminster government should do so now, the British Academy argues. 1/2
Next Scottish government ‘should launch immediate funding review’
Holyrood politicians must look at size and shape of tertiary sector, and consider closer research ties with rest of UK, says Anton Muscatelli
www.timeshighereducation.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Always happy to welcome more friends into club-of-demanding-an-end-to-this-mess, but why does every VC see the light only *after* they retired and set aside all power & responsibility?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
What is it in those VC bodies like UUK an UCEA that prevents them from acknowledging reality?
Reposted by QM_UCU
Alt text didn't save there.
Image 1 is a photo of our earners over 100k a year between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, image 2 is a photo comparing our VC's earnings which show her total emoluments increasing to £309k a year despite DMU plummeting in league tables.
Image 1 is a photo of our earners over 100k a year between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, image 2 is a photo comparing our VC's earnings which show her total emoluments increasing to £309k a year despite DMU plummeting in league tables.
December 8, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Alt text didn't save there.
Image 1 is a photo of our earners over 100k a year between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, image 2 is a photo comparing our VC's earnings which show her total emoluments increasing to £309k a year despite DMU plummeting in league tables.
Image 1 is a photo of our earners over 100k a year between 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, image 2 is a photo comparing our VC's earnings which show her total emoluments increasing to £309k a year despite DMU plummeting in league tables.
Reposted by QM_UCU
December 8, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by QM_UCU
Just a reminder to managers that #CeasefireNOW remains a ucu policy and that, yet again, taking down posters about it is taking down union materials.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
Today (Tuesday 20th February) management ordered security to break into the Queen Mary UCU office behind the Queens Building in order to remove posters expressing solidarity with Palestine.
December 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Just a reminder to managers that #CeasefireNOW remains a ucu policy and that, yet again, taking down posters about it is taking down union materials.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
Just a reminder to managers that #CeasefireNOW remains a ucu policy and that, yet again, taking down posters about it is taking down union materials.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
Today (Tuesday 20th February) management ordered security to break into the Queen Mary UCU office behind the Queens Building in order to remove posters expressing solidarity with Palestine.
December 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Just a reminder to managers that #CeasefireNOW remains a ucu policy and that, yet again, taking down posters about it is taking down union materials.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
@qmul.bsky.social, get your (middle & senior) managers under control, they're not exactly acting within the law.
Reposted by QM_UCU
it's gutting to see access and widening participation initiatives being binned across the university sector. ELCE here at Bristol, Essex Pathways here. nothing pushes my personal, visceral buttons like the idea of denying academic study to someone whose life it could change
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 8:18 AM
it's gutting to see access and widening participation initiatives being binned across the university sector. ELCE here at Bristol, Essex Pathways here. nothing pushes my personal, visceral buttons like the idea of denying academic study to someone whose life it could change
Reposted by QM_UCU
Fucking hell, bad enough closing the Southend campus, forcing students in South Essex to make the choice of going to Colchester (which is a slog and a half) or hoping UEL has an equivalent course they aren't cutting. But cutting essential programs Pathways feels like spite.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Fucking hell, bad enough closing the Southend campus, forcing students in South Essex to make the choice of going to Colchester (which is a slog and a half) or hoping UEL has an equivalent course they aren't cutting. But cutting essential programs Pathways feels like spite.
Reposted by QM_UCU
This is heartbreaking.
We know how important foundation year programmes are for students - in the wake of COVID19 they're even more important.
Not everyone gets to uni in the traditional way. Not everyone has the privilege of an education which offers or supports traditional pathways.
We know how important foundation year programmes are for students - in the wake of COVID19 they're even more important.
Not everyone gets to uni in the traditional way. Not everyone has the privilege of an education which offers or supports traditional pathways.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 2:58 PM
This is heartbreaking.
We know how important foundation year programmes are for students - in the wake of COVID19 they're even more important.
Not everyone gets to uni in the traditional way. Not everyone has the privilege of an education which offers or supports traditional pathways.
We know how important foundation year programmes are for students - in the wake of COVID19 they're even more important.
Not everyone gets to uni in the traditional way. Not everyone has the privilege of an education which offers or supports traditional pathways.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Awful, awful news. Full solidarity with UCU Essex in their fight to get this plan abandoned.
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Awful, awful news. Full solidarity with UCU Essex in their fight to get this plan abandoned.
Reposted by QM_UCU
Private Eye notes mounting problems for University of Oxford
"The way this case has been managed is appalling" -- a phrase repeated in UK Universities time & time again
Notice the abuser is using Carter-Ruck ... who is paying?
Time & again, Oxbridge use fancy lawyers ... with public money
"The way this case has been managed is appalling" -- a phrase repeated in UK Universities time & time again
Notice the abuser is using Carter-Ruck ... who is paying?
Time & again, Oxbridge use fancy lawyers ... with public money
December 7, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Private Eye notes mounting problems for University of Oxford
"The way this case has been managed is appalling" -- a phrase repeated in UK Universities time & time again
Notice the abuser is using Carter-Ruck ... who is paying?
Time & again, Oxbridge use fancy lawyers ... with public money
"The way this case has been managed is appalling" -- a phrase repeated in UK Universities time & time again
Notice the abuser is using Carter-Ruck ... who is paying?
Time & again, Oxbridge use fancy lawyers ... with public money
Reposted by QM_UCU
Solidarity with our colleagues at Coventry! Their fight is our fight as we all push back against the collective and individual attacks on higher education. Please sign and share!
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
Vote of no confidence in the vice-chancellor at Coventry University
Why sign this petition? An unhealthy workplace The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has demanded answers from CU about workload and stress management. A recent UCU workload survey revealed that 74%…
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk
December 8, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Solidarity with our colleagues at Coventry! Their fight is our fight as we all push back against the collective and individual attacks on higher education. Please sign and share!
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
#StopTheCuts #SaveHE
speakout.web.ucu.org.uk/vote-of-no-c...
Reposted by QM_UCU
This is a key point for ALL students in the South East region - local transport networks are so poor that it's often quicker, easier, but NOT CHEAPER to get to central London.
We need Universities in the SE that are not in London.
We need Universities in the SE that are not in London.
By public transport (assuming travelling from Southend) they'd be able to get to central London faster.
December 8, 2025 at 3:02 PM
This is a key point for ALL students in the South East region - local transport networks are so poor that it's often quicker, easier, but NOT CHEAPER to get to central London.
We need Universities in the SE that are not in London.
We need Universities in the SE that are not in London.
As this FOI saga (the Information Commissioner's Office had to intervene yet again, because @qmul.bsky.social seems rather keen on talking with ICO?) shows: Grade 7 and 8 are ballooning in the Principal's Office and Estates & Facilities www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/prof...
December 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
As this FOI saga (the Information Commissioner's Office had to intervene yet again, because @qmul.bsky.social seems rather keen on talking with ICO?) shows: Grade 7 and 8 are ballooning in the Principal's Office and Estates & Facilities www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/prof...
Reposted by QM_UCU
the one good thing is that they clearly underestimated that people would notice and care. our students at southend can’t just pick up their lives and jobs and move to colchester and it’s too far and expensive to commute on public transport. people will simply have to abandon their studies.
December 6, 2025 at 1:32 PM
the one good thing is that they clearly underestimated that people would notice and care. our students at southend can’t just pick up their lives and jobs and move to colchester and it’s too far and expensive to commute on public transport. people will simply have to abandon their studies.
Reposted by QM_UCU
they’re coming for everyone
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 6, 2025 at 1:31 PM
they’re coming for everyone
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
but hitting the parts with the most positive social impact hardest:
campus in Southend that was part of regeneration plans which trains nurses & social workers
our foundation programme which does incredible work none of the rest of us *can* do
Reposted by QM_UCU
It somehow is always the widening participation programmes that are the ones that get cut first, that get deemed dispensable.
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
It somehow is always the widening participation programmes that are the ones that get cut first, that get deemed dispensable.
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Shame on @universityofessex.bsky.social. Transforming society for the better is #UKHE 's role, Essex's in particular. Have you forgotten what you were established for?
Reposted by QM_UCU
It's starting to sound like the @universityofessex.bsky.social VC is keen on getting that Scrooge-of- #UKHE crown this year? Shutting down all paths of possibility for those who have the least?
(sidenote: her previous post was on the @qmul.bsky.social Senior Executive Team...)
(sidenote: her previous post was on the @qmul.bsky.social Senior Executive Team...)
In yet more devastating news, the VC has confirmed her plans to cut 80% of academic staff from Essex Pathways, our foundation year department. This would effectively close down all our existing foundation year programmes through the back door.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
But it's not a done deal yet. Please share urgently.
December 8, 2025 at 7:08 AM
It's starting to sound like the @universityofessex.bsky.social VC is keen on getting that Scrooge-of- #UKHE crown this year? Shutting down all paths of possibility for those who have the least?
(sidenote: her previous post was on the @qmul.bsky.social Senior Executive Team...)
(sidenote: her previous post was on the @qmul.bsky.social Senior Executive Team...)
Reposted by QM_UCU
Those of us under £100,000 pa keep getting told we have to do more with less because the sector is in crisis. It doesn’t seem in crisis for those n six-figure salaries though? The Principal got yet another £5,000 bump, and the 140-150,000 bracket exploded. www.finance.qmul.ac.uk/media/financ...
December 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Those of us under £100,000 pa keep getting told we have to do more with less because the sector is in crisis. It doesn’t seem in crisis for those n six-figure salaries though? The Principal got yet another £5,000 bump, and the 140-150,000 bracket exploded. www.finance.qmul.ac.uk/media/financ...
Those of us under £100,000 pa keep getting told we have to do more with less because the sector is in crisis. It doesn’t seem in crisis for those n six-figure salaries though? The Principal got yet another £5,000 bump, and the 140-150,000 bracket exploded. www.finance.qmul.ac.uk/media/financ...
December 8, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Those of us under £100,000 pa keep getting told we have to do more with less because the sector is in crisis. It doesn’t seem in crisis for those n six-figure salaries though? The Principal got yet another £5,000 bump, and the 140-150,000 bracket exploded. www.finance.qmul.ac.uk/media/financ...
Reposted by QM_UCU
University workers in the UK are facing all kinds of pressures including redundancy, restructuring, outsourcing, bullying and overwork. Don't face this alone: join a union: join Unite: join.unitetheunion.org
join.unitetheunion.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:22 PM
University workers in the UK are facing all kinds of pressures including redundancy, restructuring, outsourcing, bullying and overwork. Don't face this alone: join a union: join Unite: join.unitetheunion.org