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News Archives

Picket Post: What We Can Do

Published: 23rd March, 2022

In this next edition of the Picket Post, one Leicester UCU member explores why we are striking, why it matters to them, to all of us, and how we can help make a difference. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This…

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Picket Post: Manageable Workloads

Published: 21st March, 2022

One of the four fights concerns workload, and the rising pressures on staff in recent years. In this next edition of Picket blog posts, we focus on what manageable workloads look like, and why they are important to the Four Fights dispute. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any…

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Reballot FAQs

Published: 11th March, 2022

What are the reballots about? UCU members are being reballoted on the Four Fights, and USS Pensions as the current mandate ends on 3 May. FOUR FIGHTS:  1. Wages of University staff have fallen in real terms by over 20%. 2. Workloads have increased to unprecedented levels with University staff performing an average of two days’ unpaid work every…

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Picket Post: Casualisation

Published: 28th February, 2022

In this next edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on their experience of casualisation. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a reflection of a particular day’s picketing, or a wider…

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Picket Post: At Breaking Point

Published: 22nd February, 2022

In this next edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on why they feel so devalued, demotivated, and have been pushed to breaking point. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a…

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Picket Post: Why I’m Striking

Published: 16th February, 2022

In this first edition of our new series of Picket blog posts, one Leicester UCU member reflects on why they’re striking. If you would like to contribute to this ongoing series, please forward any pieces to Cara Dobbing, Communications Officer (cara@uculeicester.org.uk). This may be a reflection of a particular day’s picketing, or a wider reflection…

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Strike Action

Published: 31st January, 2022

Leicester UCU and its members will be on strike for 5 days, 21-25 March. This is in defence of the four fights (working conditions, equality pay gaps, pay increases and casualisation), and to defend members’ USS pensions. Information about the two disputes can be found here. This action follows strikes at the beginning of December…

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Strike Day Three

Published: 3rd December, 2021

The clouds and drizzle were back today, but they did not dampen our picket spirits. Members were joined by local councillors, students, and representatives from various local socialist organisations. It was clear from the discussions on the pickets that our struggle goes further than higher education. Disputes over pay and working conditions are becoming more…

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Strike Day Two

Published: 2nd December, 2021

Our three-day strike continued today. It was an even chillier morning, but luckily we had the help our picket firepit to keep the frostbite at bay. At the picket locations the music, dancing and lots of discussions about why we are on strike continued. Today Leicester UCU members were joined on the pickets by Leicester…

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Strike Day One

Published: 1st December, 2021

Today saw the beginning of our three-day strike. It was a chilly morning, and the rain came, but the weather did not dampen our spirits. At the picket locations there was music, dancing and lots of discussions about why we are on strike. All of which was streamed live to our virtual picket. This dispute…

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