Month: July 2026

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New Branch Committee 2026 and outgoing President’s comments

Email sent to members Friday 31st July 2026.

Dear Members

Today is the last day for me as President of our branch committee.  As you know, I did not stand for election again for next year, due to failing health (CMVS/ME) and now needing to learn the adjustments I will need to be able to work as a trade unionist and anatomist/physiologist delivering fundamental science mostly on maternofetal vascular complications in pregnancies and teaching medical students. 

I was very lucky, in that coming to the picket lines during our strikes in the last decade, I met some amazing colleagues, whose clarity of what is right and what is wrong, and how we can change it, made me completely  understand how workers have rights and can demand them, within the law, and persuade management on what a university is about.  We have a strong membership, amazing Reps and Rep systems, fantastic committee. This helped us win most of our fights, there were huge inroads in equality,  decent working hours, freedom of speech, voicing staff concerns etc. The neo-liberal marketized philosophy, unfortunately, is  still trying to diminish our universities and of course our own beautiful university. The fight continues, and we will challenge again and again. 

Looking back, I joined the committee as an Equality Officer, then Secretary, then Vice-President, under the tutelage of fantastic Presidents like Matt, Agnes, Howard and Andreas. The committee members all brought their own strengths and expertise, whether government laws, Trade union rights, Case-work, and from different disciplines that allowed us to understand the totality of what a university is. As President, I was plunged into the Future Nottingham Fights, and here, yet again our members, our Reps, our committee with their collective approach to approved next steps , to stop this size and shrink, which completely ignored the importance of language, philosophy, music, and wants to diminish the sciences by reducing research time and pushing towards applied research and AI.  In the last 2 years, using our rallies, picket lines, the mutually agreed JNCC meetings on university policies and our Consultation meetings during FN1 and FN2, we have spent many hours explaining the principles of right and wrong, arguing against the necessity of large SSRs, reduced research time, course closures and the unnecessary  loss of  livelihoods. We have together, managed to make Senior Management rethink, and accept that they had to revise the business case. Unfortunately,  their tardiness in all this and their incomprehensibility of how much heart ache and stress all this is causing,  continues!  So we keep on the fighting. 

As of 1 August, the new elected committee will start. We have a fabulous President, Nick Clare. There are new elected members who joined the committee (see below), I am honoured to still be on it despite some rumours!).  We of course have our usual turnover of Reps, within the rotating system from individual schools. Our Comms Officers will update the website with their names, and mugshots I hope.

Officers UCU Nottingham University:

President: Nick Clare

Vice President: Andreas Bieler (semester 1); Mel Bhend (semester 2)   

Secretary: Andrew Renault

Equalities and Workload: Jenny Elliott

Past President: Lopa Leach

Treasurer: Tony Padilla

Membership Secretary & rep organiser: Will Paterson-Bassett & Ella Guerin

Casework coordinator & Policy Review Lead: Onni Gust

Casework (and Health & Safety): Cyril Rauch

Health & Safety: Andrew Jackson

Workload Officer and Rep: Mel Bhend (semester 1)

APM Officer: Andrew Armstrong

Equalities Officer: Lisa Rull

Communications Officer: Tom Coogan

Social Media Officer: Peter Woods

Green Officer: Alan Barker

Ordinary members without portfolio:

Cecilia Testa

Marta Aloi

Peter Rutherford

Nabil Fadai

Hannah Robbins

———–

The reason for writing this today, is also because I wanted to thank you. It was a privilege and an honour to serve you. 

Keep strong, we will stop this downward spiral.

All my solidarity,

Lopa

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Outcome from the review of the Alternative Proposals and Collective Consultation

Email sent to members on Thursday 30th July 2026.

Dear Members

You have now all seen the Blog from Jane  consultation within FN2

In it, she thanks all who sent an alternate proposal, but states that the final outcomes of the counterproposal reviews, which would be communicated on 29 July to coincide with the second VR window,  was not possible! They need yet more time!  

Quoting from the website: “FN Steering group received 124 alternative proposals – two detailed counter proposals from UCU and 122 individual proposals from colleagues. Of these, 42 proposals (including elements of the UCU proposals) have been accepted in full or in part, with a further nine continuing to undergo evaluation. The alternative proposal process has resulted in some confirmed changes to the HR elements of the FN2 Final Business Case which will be considered by Council on Thursday 1 October 2026.”  See both links below. 

https://uniofnottm.sharepoint.com/sites/FutureNottingham/SitePages/Feedback-and-alternative-proposals—next-steps.aspx#communications-on-how-alternative-proposals-have-changed-the-fn2-final-business-case

FN2 collective consultation closed – VR open to at-risk staff

Re, our counterproposals, the VC states: “UCU submitted two extensive counterproposal reports, comprising an overarching strategic counterproposal, detailed unit-level counterproposals, faculty-specific proposals, and proposals relating to individual academic disciplines. We have had 12 meetings with trade unions to discuss the original business case and their counterproposals. In addition to this, four deep dive sessions were held with the unions on pooling, SSR, EDI and health and safety, along with two sessions on finance. These constructive discussions and feedback from colleagues will ultimately shape significant parts of the final business case.” Indeed we did attend all these sessions, we sincerely hope so!!

We too have yet to see the refined Business case, or at least a summary of the proposals they have adopted, and rationale for those they have not!. We are horrified that members who spent so much time and effort writing counter proposals, are now being told to wait still further! We have written to HR today, stating as such (and thank you members who also have, and have copied us in). This would have also allowed members’ decisions, as to whether to apply for VR in the second round, or withdraw, to again believe that our informed voices are heard and that we can rescue this university, even at this late stage.  

The VC acknowledges: A significant number of proposals have been adopted in full or part but not to a conclusion at present. This means that we will need to wait for clarity on the form of the draft business case that will be considered by Council at the end of Sept/beginning of Oct. Note also how many governance steps are being omitted. 

At our Final Consultation Meeting, our Regional Officer, warned that they did not give the rationale of the pools created, and this could be challenged.  We do not believe these were proper consultations.  We are writing now to UCU, re permission for Industrial action for next semester, given the large majority that voted for this in our latest members’ meeting.  We will let you know!

The strength of UoN UCU members is now legendary. Other branches in the UK state their awe.

So, full solidarity.

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After the Graduation Celebration!

Email sent to members on Tuesday 28th July 2026.

As part of our campaign to defend jobs and working conditions at the University of Nottingham, we will be sending regular emails, authored by different UCU members, examining key elements of management’s restructuring plans. Today we discuss in ‘Animal Farm’ style current graduation-celebrations. Feel free to share this post with non-UCU members in your area.

After the Graduation Celebration

The banners had been folded away. The speeches were over. The Farm had once again declared itself stronger than ever.

The animals returned to work.

The Boxers were thanked for their decades of loyal service. Each received a certificate praising their resilience, dedication and invaluable contribution. Shortly afterwards, they were informed that changing circumstances regrettably meant their experience was no longer required. They were wished every success elsewhere. The pigs assured everyone this was, of course, an investment in the Farm’s future.

The Snowballs fared differently.

There was no public punishment. That would have looked untidy. Instead, they simply ceased to appear where decisions were made. Their names slipped quietly from committees. Their suggestions became impractical. Their concerns became negativity. Their insistence that two and two still made four was judged insufficiently aligned with the Farm’s strategic direction.

When the younger animals asked who had first warned that the granaries were empty, they were told that nobody of consequence had done so.

When they asked who had questioned the figures, they were informed that malicious rumours had briefly circulated, but responsible leadership had prevented confusion.

When they asked why the old horses looked so tired, the pigs explained that change was always difficult for those who struggled to embrace opportunity.

The remaining animals learned quickly.

Working harder had not saved Boxer.

Being right had not saved Snowball.

The lesson was obvious.

Keep your head down.

Repeat the slogans.

And if anyone asks who predicted all this, look puzzled and say you cannot quite remember.

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Vote of No Confidence in University of Nottingham Council

The following motion was overwhelmingly passed at our members’ meeting on Tuesday 21st July, with 93% voting in favour. This is a joint motion tabled by the UCU, Unite, and UNISON branches at the University of Nottingham.

The University of Nottingham UCU/Unite/Unison branches note that Council has materially failed to discharge its duties as set out in Section 6 (The Council) and Section 7 (Powers of the Council) of the University Statutes, and Ordinance X (Powers of Council), in relation to its decision to support the Future Nottingham Phase 2 (FN2) restructuring of the University.  Specifically, Council displayed:

1. Failure to Discharge Responsibility for the Conduct and Activities of the University:
Under Statute Section 7, 1, Council “shall be responsible for the conduct and activities of the University.” The Council’s decision to approve FN2 draft business case without first securing the complete data necessary to assess its impact on student recruitment, teaching quality, and research output constitutes a failure to exercise responsible stewardship over the University’s core activities. Proceeding without an evidence base capable of demonstrating that no significant harm would result is inconsistent with this foundational duty.

2. Disregard for Senate and Failure to Exercise Oversight Powers Appropriately:
Ordinance X empowers Council “to review amend refer back control or disallow any act of the Senate required under these Statutes to be reported to the Council and to give directions thereon to the Senate”. This provision presupposes engagement with Senate’s considered position. Senate, as the University’s principal academic body, did not support the restructuring. Rather than treating Senate’s non-support as a material concern warranting further scrutiny, Council overrode it. This approach inverts the purpose of Council’s oversight function, which exists to safeguard institutional integrity, not to circumvent academic judgement.

3. Failure to Require Adequate Reporting on Teaching and Research:
Ordinance X expressly provides that Council shall “receive and consider reports on teaching and the welfare and development of students” and shall “promote and make provision for research within the University and require reports from time to time on such research.” Council approved FN2 despite the absence of complete data addressing its potential impact on teaching, student welfare, and research. This represents a failure to exercise the Council’s own reporting and oversight powers before taking a consequential decision.

4. Exposure of the University to Significant Reputational Damage:
Statute Section 7, 1 places overall responsibility for the University’s conduct and activities on Council. Council is empowered (Ordinance X) to govern, manage and regulate “all affairs whatsoever of the University.” A major restructuring that risks negative impact on student recruitment, teaching quality, and research output carries the direct potential for reputational harm to the University’s standing, rankings, and long-term sustainability. By proceeding without the data required to exclude such risks, Council has acted in a manner that exposes the institution to foreseeable and avoidable damage.

All three Campus Unions branches note:

      • The appointment of Michael Queen as our new Chair of Council and call on the University to do everything in its power to support the new Chair, ensure he fulfils his duties independently, impartially, without compromise and in full compliance with the Nolan Principles, especially given his prior relationship with PA Consultancy.

All three Campus Union branches believe:

      • That Council has ratified the draft Business Case without due diligence to university processes and against the overwhelming vote of Senate
      • That Council has ratified the draft Business Case without access to the necessary data needed to make such an important decision (see list above)
      • That Council is not fulfilling its governance duties with due diligence and in robust and transparent ways

As a result of Council’s actions, the combined unions can no longer sustain any confidence in the university Council and call on all those who supported the Future Nottingham 2 business case to resign in order that they can be replaced by individuals who genuinely have the best interests of the university at heart and can perform their duties competently.

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Update on today’s meeting

Dear members, 

Thank you again for coming to the meeting, showing your enormous strength, perseverance and dogged support to change FN2 and the trajectory this management is taking our beloved university  to. The debate on each item was excellent. The message was loud and clear. We will write later again on the key points  agreed on .

There was one point that is time sensitive, thus I have been asked to write on this today. A clear majority was in favour to support a boycott of graduations starting tomorrow.  Hence, we herewith asks all members not to attend any graduations, labelled by management as celebrations. Considering job cuts and course closures, proposed by our management, there is nothing to celebrate at this point in time!

Two other key points, the Vote of No Confidence in Council, members asked for an important amendment to it, which was done and final approval of the amended Vote of No Confidence in Council, we will resend the latest version. What was brilliant was that members voted  (>90%)  on strategic strike actions next term.  We will of course  hold a meeting, nearer to next term, to discuss days etc. 

Look out for an email from us next week, on the outcomes of our consultations.  Two this week and a final one next week! Do keep an eye out on all the media publicity and interest from National newspapers.  Links will be in our newsletter. They directly resulted from all your actions and external reach.

Solidarity and thank you,