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UCU University of Greenwich

@ucugreenwich.bsky.social
121 followers 111 following 41 posts

University of Greenwich UCU Branch. Supporting educators and staff members at the University of Greenwich. UCU is the largest post-16 education union in the world. Go to greenwich.web.ucu.org.uk for details on how to join UCU and get involved!

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QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 02/12/2025
And De Montfort University! Which other Nous-victims are there in #UKHE?
short private eye article about de montfot university spending millions of pounds on private consultancy on leadership, management, and finance
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
covucu.bsky.social @covucu.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
Coventry University is the canary in the coal mine for UK higher education. TUPE transfers into subsidiaries to worsen Ts and Cs. 12 intakes a year. Erosion of national agreements. Loss of Trade Union rights It’s a blueprint. If it happens here, it spreads. #UKHE #UCU #JoGrady
Text references Coventry University as the “canary in the coalmine” for wider issues affecting staff, students, and unions. Illustration of a caged small yellow canary in a coal mine tunnel. Includes warning signs for TUPE transfers, Subsidiaries, Fragmentation and 12 Intakes a Year. Caption reads: Coventry University: The Canary in the Coal Mine. What Happens Here Could Happen Anywhere.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
One of our members, Paula Sharratt, spent an afternoon asking staff, students, and community members for their thoughts on Future Nottingham. This is just a snippet of what they said. 📸: @tregenza.bsky.social
How do we feel about future nottingham?

"It feels as if we're all being made migrant here, constant changing of rules of engagement. I ask: who and what is a university for?"

"We need openness and to use the knowledge of staff."

"I have real fears about the data that's being used to make decisions, it feels unsafe."

"It's the isolation of not knowing whether you matter, whether your aspirations matter."

"We have to help the senior management to properly assess our financial alternatives. They really think they have the data and they don't."

UCU IS FIGHTING BACK!
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Branch AGM Tuesday 19th May at 3pm UK time: Zoom link in your inboxes. Update your diaries, folks!
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Loughborough University UCU @lboroucu.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
Reduce Your UCU Subscription Cost by Claiming Tax Relief As we’ve entered a new tax year, it’s a great time to remind #UCU members that you may be able to reduce the cost of your union subscription by claiming tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Click the link for more details.
ucu.lboro.ac.uk
Reduce Your UCU Subscription Cost by Claiming Tax Relief – Loughborough UCU
As we’ve entered a new tax year, it’s a great time to remind UCU members that you may be able to reduce the cost of your union subscription by claiming tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Goldsmiths UCU @goldsmithsucu.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
A powerful message from three of our amazing SU officers on the damage being done to Goldsmiths by its management and why it matters. We’re forever grateful for our students’ support, an in awe of the incredible political work they do! www.goldsmithssu.org/news/article...
goldsmithssu.org
The only alternative is us. It's time to organise
We are seeing a clear picture of what our collective future as students should look like. What does this mean for us as students?
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
True consultation on restructures means staff and unions can shape the aims, timelines and criteria, and proposals can change substantially. If decisions feel predetermined and feedback is ignored, that’s not consultation – it’s rubber‑stamping.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
Don't forget, folks - branch social tonight (Tues 24th) at 6pm at the Mitre pub in Greenwich!
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire UCU @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
While senior managers spent almost £14,000 on just one dinner, both unions, UCU and UNISON, continue to receive reports of professional but also academic staff resorting to food banks, especially towards the end of the month.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire UCU @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Senior managers spend almost £14,000 on attending awards dinner in Edinburgh. The University’s senior personnel attended the Times Higher Education Awards on 13 November in Edinburgh. We wrote to the Finance Director, on 1 December seeking the full cost to the University of attendance at the event
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Branch meeting! THIS Thursday 5th February at 16:00 UK time. Zoom link in your inboxes or message us on the WhatsApp group. Social at the Gipsy Moth in Greenwich after if you like. We'll discuss London weighting, post-92 contract & fractionals, & of course the ever-present merger. See you there!
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Colleagues were interviewed on BBC Radio 4 about @qmul.bsky.social's sudden escalation in taking down posters & threatening disciplinary action. It is a great explanation of what's happening & its dangers. Listen from 22min in: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... or clipped: youtu.be/SJGnCrDaCf0?...
QMUL's poster removal:
Management threatens staff with disciplinary action over posters and stickers 

No clarity is given about what is deemed antisemitic

Management reduces all Jewish colleagues to one position

Possible precedent of repression & censorship

.Management refuses to engage meaningfully 

Management repeats the same statement they issued in February 2024 when they broke into the union office 

Management claims this is an established policy though they escalate from previous practice
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Members of the administration at the University of Sheffield are threatening to lock out members of @sheffielducu.bsky.social who do not reschedule teaching lost to recent strike action. It's an incredibly damaging choice and a horrible precedent to set if it moves through.
gofundme.com
Donate to Support University of Sheffield striking staff!, organized by Mark Pendleton
I'm the branch treasurer for the University of Sheffield University and… Mark Pendleton needs your support for Support University of Sheffield striking staff!
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 22/01/2026
The University of Sheffield has stopped paying staff. Not for striking but for refusing to work unpaid to make up for strike days they were already docked for. This is punishment, not negotiation. And it’s completely reckless. www.ucu.org.uk/article/1438...
ucu.org.uk
Union condemns continued docking of staff pay following strike action at University of Sheffield
The University and College Union (UCU) has today condemned the lockout and withholding of staff pay at the University of Sheffield following lawful industrial action
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Please take five minutes today to email your MP, share how these attacks are affecting staff and students, and ask them to add their name to EDM 2479 “Higher education pension cuts” in support of secure pensions and decent conditions in our sector. ​ 2/2
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Birmingham UCU @birminghamucu.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
UCU members: MPs are considering an Early Day Motion on higher education pension cuts that condemns fire-and-rehire tactics, use of subsidiaries to undermine contracts, and threats of dismissal or pay freezes to force pension cuts. edm.parliament.uk/ea... 1/2
edm.parliament.uk
Higher education pension cuts - Early Day Motions - UK Parliament
That this House expresses its alarm at the growing number of higher education institutions deploying approaches which are having a negative impact on the pension schemes of academics and staff, including through fire and rehire proposals and other approaches tantamount to forcing workers onto worse contracts, terms and conditions; further expresses alarm that such actions have triggered trade disputes at institutions such as Southampton Solent and Northumbria universities, where staff are facing threats of dismissal and permanent pay freezes, respectively, unless they agree to pension cuts; insists that using subsidiary companies to circumvent employment rights and to undermine pay, terms or conditions is unacceptable behaviour that simply serves to negatively impact industrial relations further in a sector already suffering from mass redundancies and industrial action; calls on the Office for Students immediately to investigate institutions accused by trade unions of undermining pension rights to establish whether they are failing in their duties, including those relating to good governance and protecting the interests of students; and further calls on the Government to take urgent steps to prevent pension cuts and a race to the bottom in higher education provision, including through legislative change if necessary.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 12/12/2025
Merger update: the VC has confirmed that current Greenwich employees can remain in their current pension schemes (TPS & Local Govt) and the post-92 academic contract. Kent employees will keep their terms & conditions through TUPE: www.acas.org.uk/tupe/advice-...
acas.org.uk
What a TUPE transfer is - TUPE - Acas
What employee rights and employer responsibilities are in a TUPE transfer.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 25/11/2025
Get out, get your ballot, get it in and tell your colleagues. We’ve got this. Tomorrow is the last safe day!
1 day left
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 24/11/2025
Please sign this petition to register opposition to Northumbria University effectively stealing staff pensions by trying to forcibly move them from TPS to USS: this could create a terrible precedent (especially vital for UoG). Pensions are deferred pay & part of your agreement on working conditions!
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Paul McMillan @mcmillan-astro.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Good news for our colleagues in Nottingham! A reminder that industrial action can work, and universty management can negotiate with a union that represents their staff.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 12/11/2025
Today marks #DisabilityPayGapDay, the point in the year when Disabled workers effectively stop being paid. This injustice can’t be ignored. We need action to close the disability pay gap and deliver fair pay for all. ✊
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 09/11/2025
Proposal to change legal name of University of Greenwich to 'London & South East University Group'. For 2026-27 academic year. If you wanted to change the name of a *single degree programme*, the deadline would be coming up soon. Someone in a hurry? www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications...
officeforstudents.org.uk
Proposed new legal name for the University of Greenwich - Office for Students
We are consulting on a proposed new legal name for the University of Greenwich.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Good afternoon, folks! Feeling in need of an afternoon pick-me-up? Why not get out and post your ballot! Nothing energizes quite like knowing you're contributing to the best chance we have to change HE! Celebrate with your choice of snack afterwards! #WeAreTheUniversity
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 31/10/2025
📣 National Get The Vote Out LIVE! Join us next Thursday 6 November at 7PM as we go live from campuses across the UK 💪 Hear from members, branches and organisers as we make the final push to get every ballot posted 🗳️ Watch LIVE on UCU X and YouTube #WeAreTheUniversity
National get the vote out
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Happy Friday folks! Whatever else you're doing this weekend, if there's a ballot paper sitting around in your house, fill it in (voting YES of course) and post it! Take a photo while you do so, and send it to us so others get inspired ✊
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University of Hertfordshire UCU @uhertfordshireucu.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
The importance of voting YES in the UCU national ballot. 📢some reasons: The pay offer this year is a mere 1.4% but inflation is 3.8% which means our pay’s gone down since the recession of 2007-9 by 20-30% in real terms, depending on whether you use CPI or RPI measures.
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leedsucu.bsky.social @leedsucu.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
More #UCU branches now added to our starter pack 💞 of formal branch/committee presences we've found (no individuals) Please let us know if yours is missing (and sorry about the delay @ucugreenwich.bsky.social @brunelucu.bsky.social @ysjucu.bsky.social @uhiucu.bsky.social @ucuimperial.bsky.social!)
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 27/10/2025
Don’t just take it from us- Richard Wild, branch co-chair at Greenwich, explains why he’s voting YES to change the future of higher education in the UK. 💌 Why are you voting YES? Let us know in the comments below ⬇️ #WeAreTheUniversity
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
We know it may feel like you live at work... but you don't! So unless you check your work post daily/can't avoid it, PLEASE don't put your work address as your postal address on MyUCU! If you have, or if you're not sure, change it here: www.ucu.org.uk/myucu .
ucu.org.uk
'My UCU'
Manage and update your personal information with UCU anywhere and any time with 'My UCU'.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 27/10/2025
Have you received your ballot paper? Ballot papers in hot pink envelopes (so you can't miss them) are arriving in the homes of members. Your vote gives your union the power to reopen negotiations & fight for you! www.ucu.org.uk/article/1422...
Collage of five photos of people putting their UCU ballot envelopes into red postboxes
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 26/10/2025
📣 Every convo counts. Every vote matters. 💥 Join us Thursday 30 Oct, 7PM for UCU LIVE: Winning it in the Workplace 🗣️💪 Let’s talk about how we WIN THIS BALLOT together! 🗳️ 📺 Live on X or YouTube @ucuorguk www.youtube.com/live/NynAXdu... #WeAreTheUniversity #VoteYES
UCU live
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Prof. Liz Oakley-Brown @earlymodlancs.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
And so much gratitude - of course - to my local unions for helping us make collective noise against proposed redundancies @lancasterucu.bsky.social @unison.org.uk Unite
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University of Nottingham UCU branch @uonucu.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
An inspiring first day of picketing to kick off our 4 weeks of strike action! Faculty, students, AND a dog or two made an appearance.
A photograph of a packed picket line on the southern edge of the University of Nottingham's campusA photo of a picketer with a very good boy looking on with the respect that the university should be giving tooA group of picketers holding a sign that says Students Support the Strikes
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Nadia Whittome MP @nadiawhittomemp.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Solidarity with @uonucu.bsky.social members who are striking against compulsory redundancies and job losses at the University of Nottingham. I urge the university’s leadership to come back to the table and work with staff to reach a fair settlement.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Sending solidarity and wishes for sunshine to our comrades at the University of Nottingham! #StopTheCuts #SaveHE
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UCU Ulster @ucu-ulster.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Joint statement from @ucu.org.uk , @unitetheunion.bsky.social , @unison.org.uk, @gmb.org.uk & @eisunion on @ucea-leadership.bsky.social 's insulting pay offer All staff in HE have had enough of attacks on Pay, Jobs + Terms & Conditions in HE and will be balloting together for Industrial Action.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 15/09/2025
"Every vote counts. Make sure you send a strong message you aren't having it" - @rmtunion.bsky.social GS Eddie Dempsey UCU stands with the RMT in their dispute on London Underground, and they stand with us 🤝 #WeAreTheUniversity
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 14/09/2025
Thank you!! We appreciate you and support your fight 💪
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Dr Dave Hitchcock @davehitchcock.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
This isn't my idea it's @alicebennett.bsky.social 's as I recall, but I think it's time for this meme to join our HE binfire pantheon.
the alien monarchs from futurama asking why, sardonically, the largest university just doesn't eat all the nearest smaller ones.

that's pretty much what is happening?
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Claire L Jones @claireljones.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Yes exactly. Universities can't afford research but they can spend millions on consultants, who give them the same stock solutions they've given everyone else
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
Architects' Journal @news.architectsjournal.co.uk · 11/09/2025
Two universities with well-established architecture departments are set to merge, forming the UK’s first ‘super-university’
architectsjournal.co.uk
Greenwich and Kent to merge into UK’s first ‘super-university’
Greenwich and Kent to merge into UK’s first ‘super-university’
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 11/09/2025
UCU Greenwich branch co-chair Dr Richard Wild told BBC London this morning that he only learned of the “super-university” via BBC “If nothing’s going to change, what’s the advantage?” Both Greenwich and Kent staff deserve clarity and reassurance, not spin or more job cuts.
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 10/09/2025
At #TUC2025, UCU President Maria Chondragianni challenged Labour on higher education: “The Tories introduced a failed, marketised model across education. This has been disastrous.” ✊ We will keep holding Labour to account. #ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 10/09/2025
🚨 Greenwich & Kent staff + students woke up to hear from the news their universities will merge. This isn’t innovation, it’s crisis management. 👉 Members ignored. Students left in the dark. #ucu #WeAreTheUniversity
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Our co-chair Ruth Ballardie speaking up for staff! "She said immediate concerns among staff revolved around how the merger could impact job security, pay, and pensions ... Despite the job cuts, Ballardie observed that Greenwich posted a £33 million surplus" - QUITE. #Kentwich
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
University and College Union (UCU) @ucu.org.uk · 10/09/2025
They call it “trailblazing.” We call it financial crisis rebranded. “This isn’t a merger, it’s a takeover by Greenwich.” @drjogrady.bsky.social told the BBC
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Reposted by UCU University of Greenwich
QM_UCU @qmucu.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Kentwich may have come without any (required?) consultation of staff and trade unions, but that isn't stopping branches from getting to work and ensuring staff gets represented and acts together. 🫶 Sending much solidarity to the excellent people @ucugreenwich.bsky.social & @ucukent.bsky.social!
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
What they said! 👇 We are stronger together (but in a 'solidarity' way, of course) - so have a coffee and a chat with colleagues & invite them to join UCU if they haven't already www.ucu.org.uk/join
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UCU University of Kent branch @ucukent.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
For everyone else reading the news this morning about the Kent and Greenwich merger - it's been as big a shock for us too. Rumours always abound with constant cuts and redundancies, but they remained rumours until 7.45am this morning.
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UCU University of Greenwich @ucugreenwich.bsky.social · 10/09/2025
Members: your branch committee is about where you are in terms of info so far, but we'll be working hard to get as much as we can and making sure you get as much clarity as possible. We'll have a social Thursday 18th September, 5pm at the Gypsy Moth: non-members welcome www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Greenwich and Kent announce merger to form 'super-university'
Universities are facing ongoing financial worries, with the regulator saying other mergers could follow.
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