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Chris Downs

@chris-downs.bsky.social
242 followers 327 following 920 posts

University worker in the UK "a teacher's primary responsibility is not to get in the way of learning" - Mark Notturno

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Reposted by Chris Downs
UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 12h
Day 3 of the UCU workers' strike against 1000s of job cuts at the University of Edinburgh. UoE's VC Peter Mathieson earns nearly half a million pounds. Under him, the UoE has acquired over £1billion of capital assets, for which the UoE continues to pay in spiralling interest and depreciation.
Peter Mathieson poses cheerfully next to Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine and their latest £1billion pound capital asset, the Death Star.
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 13h
The University of Dundee is making over 100 people redundant next month At the same time it is having to explain why it has so much cash that the Scottish Funding Council won’t release £27m of extra funding! Join our strike to rule out compulsory redundancies. www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/business-...
thecourier.co.uk
Dundee University emergency cash paused as auditors probe 'too much money' claims
External auditors PwC are reviewing the university at the request of the Scottish Funding Council.
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Public and Commercial Services Union @pcsunion.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The government is increasingly realising how damaging outsourcing has been, says PCS GS Fran Heathcote in an article for Civil Service World. She says that there are 100s of contracts where outsourced workers get a raw deal. Insourcing is the way forward www.civilserviceworld.com/professions/...
civilserviceworld.com
The government is increasingly realising how damaging outsourcing has been
There are hundreds of contracts where outsourced workers are getting a raw deal. Insourcing is the way forward
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UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Scenes from the Picket Lines: Day 2 of the UCU workers' strike against the University of Edinburgh's avaricious, exorbitantly paid senior management and their campaign of mass cuts against staff.
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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Look, ma! We made the news! Again! Find us handing flyers out on Wednesday and on the picket line on Thursday. Let's show this university what strength means! 💪✊
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
🎬 "The timing of the film could not be more fitting" - @douglasbeat.bsky.social in @islingtontrib.bsky.social For where to see The Man With The Plan (the film the whole UK cabinet should see) check out @sandsfilms.bsky.social www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/the-...
islingtontribune.co.uk
The Man With the Plan
A new film about the historic Beveridge Report throws light on the continuing importance of his work, as Douglas Beattie discovered.
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Dundee University is continuing with compulsory redundancies. It argues this is required for the financial survival. However, the University’s cash is so high they may not qualify for £27m of the £40m additional SFC funding. The SFC have asked PWC to investigate. www.theferret.scot/dundee-unive...
theferret.scot
Dundee university might have too much cash to qualify for its taxpayer bailout
The university has continued to argue staff cuts are needed to make ends meet. But a growing cash balance has raised questions about the need for more redundancies, and whether it qualifies for millio...
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UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Day 2 of the UCU workers' strike at the University of Edinburgh. The 1,800 jobs UCU estimates will be cut is unprecedented in Scottish higher education. It is happening in the wealthiest Scottish university, and the third richest in the UK, currently sitting with over £3billion reserves.
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Sands Films @sandsfilms.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
@douglasbeat.bsky.social for the @islingtontrib.bsky.social: "It would be a good idea for the entire cabinet to go and see it. You should see it too." www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/the-... #themanwiththeplanfilm #beveridgereport #fivegiants #islingtontribune
islingtontribune.co.uk
The Man With the Plan
A new film about the historic Beveridge Report throws light on the continuing importance of his work, as Douglas Beattie discovered.
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UCU Edinburgh @ucuedinburgh.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Day 1 of the strike by the workers of UCU Edinburgh against the manufactured deficit (which is not really a deficit), and against a senior management earning millions while staff disappear and education suffers. Solidarity against this parasitical form of management of our higher education.
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NUJ London Freelance @nujlfb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
"The union strongly encourages BBC workers to stand with us and get involved in the union. Working together gives us a stronger collective voice and helps us fight to protect jobs and programming.” #BackTheBBC Get involved: buff.ly/YrEeKLN
buff.ly
BBC heading for avoidable 'doom spiral' with constant cuts, says NUJ
The NUJ has warned that the BBC risks becoming trapped in an avoidable “doom spiral”, harming both workers and UK audiences, if the nation’s broadcaster continues its regime of brutal cuts.
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Loughborough University UCU @lboroucu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Solidarity with @uonucu.bsky.social members on strike on 30 Sep & 1 Oct, as the university's governing council meets to decide final restructuring plans. The 2 day strike will be followed by sustained strike action from 5 Oct-11 Dec, alongside ASOS. More info: www.ucu.org.uk/article/1462...
ucu.org.uk
University of Nottingham staff to strike as Council decides future of jobs
Staff at the University of Nottingham will strike on 30 September and 1 October, as the university's governing council meets to decide the final Future Nottingham Phase 2 (FN2) restructuring plans.
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leedsucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Two events to show unity against the Far Right are happening tomorrow Saturday 26th of September in our region. Gather at 1130 in the Peace Gardens Sheffield and at 1200 at the Bull Ring in Wakefield.
Pink poster that reads 'South Yorkshire unites. Stop the far right. September 26th 11.30am Peace Gardens. It then shows the logos of a large range of activism organisations and trade union organisations who called the event. It then reads 'Whose Streets? Our streets?'A green poster that reads 'Wakefield together against the far right. Celebtrate friends, family and community. Together. Bull Ring. Wakefield WF1 1HB Saturday 26th Sept at noon. It then has the logos of some supporting organisations.
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Royal College of Nursing @rcn.org.uk · 25/09/2026
No nursing graduate should complete their degree without a clear route into employment. Sign the RCN UK Students Committee open letter to Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, calling for action to improve employment opportunities for newly registered nurses. 📣 bit.ly/45QYwQ8
33% of Band 5 nursing posts advertised on NHS Jobs in July 2026 required experience a newly qualified nurse cannot yet have. This text is accompanied by an image of a laptop and a megaphone. The Royal College of Nursing logo is in the top left corner.
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Musicians' Union (MU) @wearethemu.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🗣️ People want theatre and art made by humans At #TUC2026, West End musician and MU Executive Committee member Alice Angliss called on trade unionists to back musicians and support our fight to keep music live in theatre 🎭 Read her full speech 👇
themu.org
Alice Angliss Calls on TUC Congress to Support Live Music in Theatre
West End musician and MU Executive Committee member Alice Angliss called on the Trades Union Congress to support live music in theatre at Congress 2026. This blog post is adapted from her speech.
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Shameful! "On Monday 14th September 2026, the University of Brighton served a formal notice to terminate its Recognition Agreement with both UNISON and the University and College Union (UCU) branches." ⏬️ www.brightonucu.org.uk
brightonucu.org.uk
Home
Welcome to the Brighton UCU website On this site you'll find information about the branch, current campaigns and more. Brighton UCU exists to protect its members' interests, above all to defend jobs...
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Goldsmiths UCU @goldsmithsucu.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
1/8 Now in our 15th week of indefinite strike action against the next phase of staff cuts, we are calling for urgent fundraising support from across UCU and all trade unions to help us through one of the longest and most difficult disputes in our branch's history. opencollective.com/goldsmithsmu...
opencollective.com
goldsmiths mutual aid - Open Collective
Provide hardship funds to precariously employed staff at Goldsmiths whose employment has been cut or changed as a result of Covid-19 or restructures and who may be further impacted by strike deductions during GUCU industrial action
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International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine 🇺🇦🤝 @solidconvoyukraine.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Meet the people behind the Convoy. 🇺🇦 For Flor Salgueiro Carral, solidarity has to be more than words. It has to become concrete, organized action. She joined the Convoy because she believes that people & organizations can work together, even when they come from different backgrounds & perspectives.
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
#JoinAUnion ⏬️
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IWGB Game Workers Union @gameworkers.co.uk · 24/09/2026
When workers come together in a union, and fight - they win!🙌 Every game dev deserves a union. If you work in the UK games industry, join our union today: iwgb.org.uk/en/join/game...
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Day 5 of 25. It's never too late to join the strike. If you're a member come and join us on the picket line at the front of the Tower Building from 8am this morning. The turnout has been higher than ever, so you'll be joining a successful collective action to save the jobs of your colleagues.
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Solidarity with colleagues taking strike action at @glasgowcaledonian.bsky.social ⏬️
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Petition from @stopfundinghate.bsky.social actionstorm.org/petitions/op...
actionstorm.org
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
#JoinAUnion
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Ukraine Solidarity Campaign 🇺🇦✊🏽🚩 @ukrainesol.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
TUC Congress votes unanimously to stand with Ukraine At our TUC 2026 fringe meeting, PCS President Bev Laidlaw speaking. On right: Ivanna Khrapko, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. Chair: UCU exec member Vicky Blake On 16 September TUC Congress, the conference representing the vast majority…
ukrainesolidaritycampaign.org
TUC Congress votes unanimously to stand with Ukraine
At our TUC 2026 fringe meeting, PCS President Bev Laidlaw speaking. On right: Ivanna Khrapko, Federation of Trade Unions of Ukraine. Chair: UCU exec member Vicky Blake On 16 September TUC Congress, the conference representing the vast majority of trade union members in the UK, voted unanimously for the motion from the National Union of Mineworkers demanding freedom for the jailed Zaporizhzhia nuclear workers and reaffirming UK union solidarity with Ukraine.
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Sands Films @sandsfilms.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
‘The Man with the Plan’ UK Tour has begun! A fantastic opening night at Otley Court House, see the film in Brighton, Liverpool and Cromer this week! #themanwiththeplanfilm #filmtour #beveridgereport #williambeveridge #fivegiants
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MAKS 26 👀🇺🇦 @maks23.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
❗️❗️This is what the shopping center in Dnipro looks like after the Russian strike
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Tata Chemia @tatach.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
🇬🇪🇪🇺 The day 6️⃣6️⃣1️⃣ is kicking off #GeorgiaProtests
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
📚 This looks like a fascinating event next week at @peoplesletters.bsky.social ⏬️ www.outsavvy.com/event/36584/...
outsavvy.com
"Bye Bye Blackshirt" with author, Mark Krantz Tickets - London - OutSavvy
Mark’s newly published book tells the history of the two years of anti-fascist struggle that successfully broke the rise of Oswald Mosley and his antisemitic British Union of Fascists. Opposition to M...
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General Federation of Trade Unions @gftu.org.uk · 18/09/2026
This October marks 90 years since East London communities united to stop Mosley’s fascists marching through #CableStreet. 🎭 Talks, walks, theatre, music, poetry & more. 👉 See the full programme: togetheroncablestreet.com/events #GFTU #TheyShallNotPass #BattleOfCableStreet
A historical black and white photo showing a large crowd of people and police officers in a chaotic scene on a city street. Many people are being pushed and appear to be in motion, likely captured during a demonstration or riot. Architecture suggests an urban setting.
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SelfMadeHero @selfmadehero.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
From the award-winning duo Mary M. Talbot and Bryan Talbot, #LoAnAmazon! The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Mary Wollstonecraft is OUT NOW! 🔗 buff.ly/mG1yxV5 @bryan-talbot.bsky.social #publishing #bandedessinee #graphicnovel #selfmadehero #marywollstonecraft #womensirghts
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Sands Films @sandsfilms.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Tansy Hoskins spoke passionately at the live political event for 'The Man with the Plan', about the lessons we can learn from the global fashion and clothing industry. The UK tour begins next week: @otleycourthouse.bsky.social, Duke's at Komedia, Picturehouse at FACT, @cromercommunity.bsky.social
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International Solidarity Convoy to Ukraine 🇺🇦🤝 @solidconvoyukraine.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Meet our partners on the ground. 🇺🇦 📦Humanitarian aid only matters if it reaches the people who actually need it. Based in Ukraine, the Humanitarian Team of @solcolua.bsky.social works with locals to understand what is needed, purchase supplies and deliver them where they can make a real difference.
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
No surrender until the University of Dundee rule out making colleagues compulsory redundant. Donate to our campaign as we seek crowdfund support for a Judicial Review of the governance decisions that led the University Court to approve staff and programme cuts www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/judicial-r...
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Scottish Trades Union Congress @scottishtuc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Today is International Equal Pay Day. The 10% Gender Pay Gap in Scotland is a complete failure of the state. Governments and employers need to seriously buck their ideas up if we are to eliminate the gap. @rozfoyer.bsky.social/ @scotsman.com www.scotsman.com/news/politic...
scotsman.com
Gender pay gap a 'failure of the state', says top trade unionist
Roz Foyer says employers have an ‘aversion’ to equal pay.
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EIS @eisunion.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Taking strike action is always a last resort, but staff are resolute in not only defending their jobs, but protecting academic standards and the high quality educational teaching that students deserve. www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/2655729…
glasgowtimes.co.uk
Students set for 14 days of disruption as lecturers gear up to go on strike
Lecturers at a Glasgow university are barrelling towards 14 days of strikes after talks over redundancies broke down.
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
#JoinAUnion ⏬️
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EIS @eisunion.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
EIS ULA Members at Glasgow Caledonian University will be joining Unison colleagues taking strike action next week. Join our picket, Cowcaddens rd enterance, GCU, 21st-23rd September from 8-11am📣 www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/2655550…
glasgowtimes.co.uk
Glasgow university staff to strike tomorrow after major breakdown in redundancy talks
Staff at one of Glasgow's biggest universities are set to walk out in a dispute over compulsory redundancies that could threaten 100 jobs.
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covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
When does a university stop being a university? When fewer than 200 staff remain in the University while thousands of others are moved to subsidiaries? And when should a university stop being treated as a charity? Sorry. You're right. Nothing to see here.. #UCU #CharityCommission #OfficeForStudents
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Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
At a branch meeting today we voted to begin immediately the formal process to seek UCU authorisation for a statutory ballot for industrial action, including strike action and action short of a strike. We will not accept any compulsory redundancies at UoB ✊
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
We will start 25 days of strike action next week as we fight to save jobs at University of Dundee. Join us on the picket line on our first day of our action (Monday 21st September) and you will find a delicious selection of home baked treats. Raising money for the student hardship fund and members.
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Wolverhampton, Bilston and District Trades Union Council @wolvestuc.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
trade union bloc will lead the march, come join Wolverhampton TUC
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Sands Films @sandsfilms.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Star of 'The Man with the Plan', Sophie Jenkin, talks about its inspiration for community connection and action! #themanwiththeplanfilm #beveridgereport #independentfilm #filmtour #fivegiants
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Next week! In Brighton ⏬️
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Chris Downs @chris-downs.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The state of HE! ⏬️
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The National Union of Journalists @nujofficial.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
“It takes real courage to sacrifice your pay to stand up for your colleagues, your profession, and the work you care deeply about. Management should acknowledge that commitment and come to the table with a fair resolution," said Huda Elmi, NUJ Magazines organiser. www.nuj.org.uk/resource/wor...
nuj.org.uk
Workers to strike for first time in The Lancet's 200-year history
NUJ members working at The Lancet, one of the world’s leading medical journals, are set to go on strike next week following a long-running dispute over pay.
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UNISON @unison.org.uk · 17/09/2026
Solidarity with UNISON members at @glasgowcaledonian.bsky.social on strike today. With reserves of £90m and growing, compulsory redundancies are a choice, not a necessity. Employers should be working with unions to protect jobs, not pushing through cuts. #Solidarity 💜✊
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Dundee UCU @ducuuo.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
We are taking 25 days of strike action starting on Monday. We want the University of Executive Group rule out compulsory redundancies. To our students - this is a last resort to retain jobs that are essential for your education during your degree at the University of Dundee. Support the strike!
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Doctors in Unite @doctorsinunite.com · 16/09/2026
The @nebriefing.bsky.social should be prime time viewing every evening. Failing that, find a screening near you here 👇 www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
nebriefing.org
National Emergency Briefing
Find a People's Emergency Briefing screening near you, or spot a gap that you can fill by hosting a screening.
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RMT Union @rmtunion.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
📹 "It's time to end the scourge of outsourcing and bring our people home." Eddie Dempsey's message for the Labour government about outsourcing from #TUC26
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