British higher education is being destroyed by marketisation. Students suffer vast fee increases and higher living costs, forcing many to work virtually full-time jobs to survive. On campus, they encounter packed seminar rooms and overcrowded libraries, with overworked, stressed-out staff struggling to provide the help that students need. Staff pay and pensions are continually … Continue reading Why Are We Striking?
Strike Day One: Picketing Advice and Teach Out Info
As you know, strike and action short of a strike starts Monday 25 November. The strike is due to end Wednesday 4 December. The Queen Mary Students' Union (QMSU) and students at large have been overwhelmingly supportive, with two staff-student assemblies drawing big crowds. Our students understand that our university should set the example on … Continue reading Strike Day One: Picketing Advice and Teach Out Info
QMUL – Attacking sick leave, pensions and now the London Living Wage
First senior management tried to impose cuts to your sick leave, to treat ill colleagues with more haste and less compassion. Then senior management stood by while the imaginary deficit is used to eviscerate your pension. [UPDATE: HR responded to QMUCU intervention, saying the low pay rate was communicated in error and that the current … Continue reading QMUL – Attacking sick leave, pensions and now the London Living Wage
QMUCU votes Overwhelmingly to Fight Cuts to Pensions
You will have seen the news direct from UCU that Queen Mary members voted in favour of both strike action and action short of a strike. As always, key links at the bottom of the page. Our vote in favour of action was high, with more than 90% voting to strike and almost 95% voting … Continue reading QMUCU votes Overwhelmingly to Fight Cuts to Pensions
USS Pensions Talk + Q&A
Wednesday 29th April, 1-2pm Drapers Lecture Theatre, Geography Building, Mile End Campus. (note change of venue) Chris Mason, a full-time UCU Pensions Official, will give a short talk on the USS pension scheme followed by questions from the audience. Topics will respond to attendees needs, and might include: proposed changes to USS and how they affect … Continue reading USS Pensions Talk + Q&A
USS Proposal eBallot Result
As was feared, but strongly opposed by QMUCU, the e-Ballot on the USS proposal has returned a decisive YES vote. The joint USS negotiators will reconvene on Thursday. Prior to this, UCU branch representatives will be attending a national meeting on the USS dispute on Wednesday 28th. Do you wish to accept the proposals as … Continue reading USS Proposal eBallot Result
Branch Motions: USS Dispute and Anti-Casualisation
At a well attend branch meeting yesterday, it was unanimously agreed that the current proposal put forward in the USS Pensions dispute does not address many of concerns that members have with the pension reforms. The meeting called for members to reject the proposal in the current e-ballot and for a Special HE Sector Conference … Continue reading Branch Motions: USS Dispute and Anti-Casualisation
Vote NO in the USS eBallot
QMUCU recommend REJECTING the current offer in the USS Pensions dispute. Full statement below. Branch meeting to discuss the dispute - Thursday 22nd January 1pm (Room TBC). Dear Member, You should now have received notice of both the decision by HEC to not re-commence the marking boycott today, as well as the decision to put … Continue reading Vote NO in the USS eBallot