Archive

Some TechyTools for Congress

We have some reorganized digitally enhanced versions of UCU's second CBC report with options for navigation and note taking including a copyable Google Doc.

Report from HEC, 17 April 2026

UCU’s HEC met for the final time in its current incarnation on 17 April 2026, and you can read the draft minutes here. Highlights * For the first time in living memory (for UCU Commoners at least), HEC both got through all business and finished early * Another record: all six

NEC Report, 13th March 2026

This meeting was dominated by highly technical discussions of rule changes and we have not written all these up in detail. Only rule changes that attracted some degree of disagreement, or where the committee was in any way divided, have been included in this report.  The NEC meeting began in

UCU Commons newsletter #16, 6 May 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter.  In today's issue:

NEC Late Motion: Solidarity with our Jewish members and communities

Update: The motion passed overwhelmingly (2 no votes). UCU issued a statement which we sure was forthcoming regardless of the success of this motion. We look forward to the first NEC after Congress to explore how UCU can be more systematic about its combating anti-semistism work. In response to the

NEC Motion: Donation to the Good Law Project (GLP)

Since last April's Supreme Court ruling, the Good Law Project (GLP) has been fighting a legal campaign in defence of trans people's human rights in the UK. They have had several important victories so far: its legal challenge has forced the Equality and Human Rights Commission

UCU Commons newsletter #15, 22 April 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter. In today's issue:

Friday 6th March HEC Report

This is a summary of key discussions from the Higher Education Committee (HEC) held on March 6th 2026. You can also view the official draft minutes on the UCU Website. New Branch HEC unanimously approved the creation of a new branch, BiMM Bristol UCU, following their successful recognition ballot. USS

UCU Commons newsletter #14, 8 April 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter. In today's issue:

Presidential address to UCU Scotland Congress

UCU Commons members Chris O’Donnell chaired UCU Scotland’s annual Congress on 27 March, where he also gave the presidential address, the text of which is reproduced below.  Comrades, colleagues, friends, Thank you for being here today and thank you for everything you have done over the last year.

UCU Commons newsletter #13, 25 March 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter.  In today's issue:

UCU Commons newsletter #12, 11 March  2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter. In today's issue:

Statement from Mark Pendleton

Following his election as Vice President (HE) in the recent NEC elections, Mark Pendleton made the following statement: I am humbled and excited to be elected the next UCU Vice-President for Higher Education.  Now is a devastatingly difficult and challenging time for our sectors and so many workers in post-16

UCU Commons newsletter #11, 25 February 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter.  In today's issue:

Wednesday 11th February Special HEC Report

Headlines * HEC voted to ask for RPI+3%, or £3,000 on all pay points (whichever highest) * HEC approved the continuation of joint working groups on casualisation, workload and pay inequalities * HEC approved the inclusion of joint work on ARPS career pathways * UCU Left elected negotiators appeared to sabotage their

HEC Discussion Paper: terms and conditions of teaching-focused posts

By Matilda Fitzmaurice 12th February 2026 Introduction There are huge numbers of academic staff employed on fixed-term contracts in the UK HE sector. According to HESA, there were 71,715 fixed-term academic staff and 33,880 hourly-paid academic staff employed in 2023/2024. HESA data also shows a large number

UCU Commons newsletter #10 (election special), 18 February 2026

Dear subscribers, This week, we have an extra, election-specific mailout.  The ballot will close at 17:00 on Monday 2nd March. We recommend that Thursday 26th February is the last safe posting date, unless you are adding a first class stamp. Members who have not received their ballot paper can

UCU Commons newsletter #9, 11 February 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter. In today's issue:

UCU Commons newsletter #8, 28 January 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter.  In today's issue:

UCU Commons newsletter #7, 14 January 2026

Dear subscriber Welcome to the UCU Commons newsletter, a curated set of links and information about what's happening in UCU Commons, our union, and our sectors more generally. As always, we welcome any feedback you may have on this or any other matter. In today's issue: