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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

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

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

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: