Campaign update: 27 January 2017
HEADLINES THIS WEEK
UCU warns MPs on Brexit university exodus
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt gave evidence this week to the House of Commons education committee about the impact of Brexit on staff and students and in particular that:
- many valued colleagues are now considering leaving the UK
- that academic collaboration with European colleagues is becoming increasingly difficult
- that many UCU members do not now feel welcome in a place that they have previously called home
UCU called on the government to immediately guarantee the right to stay of EU citizens currently resident in the UK; and to remove international students from their immigration targets. Read coverage of the hearing in the Guardian here.
Find out more about our campaign, download our pack and order posters and stickers here.
Find out more about our campaign, download our pack and order posters and stickers here.
Further education funding: UCU criticises government's industrial strategy
Responding to the government's 'Building our Industrial Strategy' paper which promises £170 million for institutes of technology, Sally Hunt points out in an article for FE Week that the announcement does nothing to address the fundamental problem of lack of proper funding for further education. UCU is calling for investment for 15,000 more further education teachers and you can support our campaign by signing the letter to the skills minister here.
Other news this week
1. In the news
- Sally Hunt gives evidence to MPs on the impact of Brexit on higher education
- UCU criticises government's 'gimmicky' industrial strategy
- London university says government guidelines reason for email monitoring
2. Join the campaign for secure contracts, UCU meeting 24 February
UCU is stepping up the campaign against casualisation in our sector and we're getting results. You are invited to an opportunity to hear more about the campaign and discuss how to step up the fight in our workplaces. It's also a vital part of our democracy as it elects the anti-casualisation committee, which advises the union's national executive committee (NEC). More information and to register here before 10 February deadline.
3. Holocaust Memorial Day 2017
Today, 27 January, UCU commemorates Holocaust Memorial Day and we invite you to watch our film 'How can life go on?' with moving testimony by John Fieldsend, a Kindertransport child, reading the final letter from his parents.
4. Manchester Met UCU consider strike action over Crewe closure and redundancies
Members at Manchester Metropolitan University have overwhelmingly backed a motion to ballot for strike action if management continue with plans to close the Crewe campus without ruling out compulsory redundancies. Please send messages of support to branch secretary Julie Wilkinson j.wilkinson@mmu.ac.uk.
5. No to trade union victimisation at University of Liverpool
Please sign and circulate the petition calling for the reinstatement of our longstanding rep at University of Liverpool, Dawn Holdman who has been dismissed from her job, UCU believes, just for being an active trade unionist.
6. Legal advice: workplace stress and disability
7. CPD programme: develop your career with our free courses
Leadership in education, Newcastle - 3 March
Research grant application writing, Belfast - 8 March
Speaking up: voice care for educators, Newcastle -10 March
Research grant application writing, Belfast - 8 March
Speaking up: voice care for educators, Newcastle -10 March
8. Say no to cuts at Bangor University
UCU is campaigning against proposals to close departments of archaeology, fine art and lifelong learning at Bangor University and so please sign and circulate our petition.
9. Take action against workplace racism
Next month UCU holds our annual day of action against workplace racism with events, film showings, and campaign activities taking place across the union. You can find a list of suggested activities and downloadable posters, leaflets and short films here.
UCU is also supporting UN anti-racism day and the 'Refugees and migrants welcome - stand up to racism, islamophobia and anti-Semitism' demonstration in London on 18 March.
UCU is also supporting UN anti-racism day and the 'Refugees and migrants welcome - stand up to racism, islamophobia and anti-Semitism' demonstration in London on 18 March.
10. 'Truth for Giulio' universities campaign for Cambridge student murdered in Egypt
UCU, Amnesty and Egypt Solidarity are organising a series of events in support of the 'Truth for Giulio' campaign'. You can register for events in London on 13 February, Manchester on 28 February and Warwick on 7 March 2017.
11. Justice for Colombia: trade union leader Huber Ballesteros freed
After 40 months in jail, prominent trade union leader Huber Ballesteros has been released from La Picota prison in Bogota. UCU and other trade unions have campaigned for his release and for an end to the persecution of trade unionists in Colombia.
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