UCU Campaign update: 13 May 2016

Campaign update: 13 May 2016

HEADLINES THIS WEEK

Higher education (HE) members: strike action 25 and 26 May 2016

Members in HE are called on to observe a two day national strike on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 May 2016. Please contact your branch, join picket lines and support fair pay, gender equality and secure contracts in HE.

Members are also asked to work to contract from 25 May. Guidance on working to contract, the strike action and advice for external examiners is still being finalised with our legal advisors and will be issued early next week.

Leaflets and poster available for download here.

Support fair pay in further education (FE)

Shadow skills minister Gordon Marsden addressed a busy parliamentary event in support of the FE sector, and heard members' concerns about issues including area reviews and social mobility. Other speakers including Green party leader Natalie Bennett, UCU president Liz Lawrence and the NUT's Kevin Courtney reinforced the value of further education and the need to support FE staff. Thanks to everyone whotweeted or sent in selfies with our 'I support the FE pay claim' poster.  Please continue to share #fairpayinFE or campaigns@ucu.org.uk

Other news this week

In the news:

• UCU confirms industrial action at universities over pay
• reports on HE access raise concerns about young men and part-time students

Read all about it here

UCU national recruitment week: 16-20 May

Next week sees a nationwide drive to encourage more staff to join UCU. There's never been a more important time to build the union and help stand up for education. Please support our national recruitment week by getting involved locally and encouraging colleagues to join at: https://www.ucu.org.uk/joinOpens new window

Defend union reps at London Metropolitan University

Thanks to over 1,600 of you who've signed the petition against redundancies and trade union victimisation at London Met. Please continue to sign and circulate the petitionOpens new window and stand up for our reps Mark Campbell and David Hardman.

Academic related and professional staff

Administrators, librarians, computing and other professional staff in HE are invited todownload our new newsletter '...and related' containing  all the latest news, views and events. Why not circulate copies or hand out the new posters and leaflets to your team?

Demand a vote on TTIP and CETA

While TTIP may be on the ropesOpens new window, there remains a serious threat from CETAOpens new window,  a similar trade deal that could soon be ratified and implemented between the EU and Canada. Tell David Cameron to veto the provisional implementation of the dealOpens new windowand demand a vote on CETA.