Workload campaign – 95 so we can thrive!

In recent months, many of us have felt the weight of increased pressures, whether due to staff reductions, new systems (Unicore), or unrealistic demands. We know the toll this takes, not only on our professional lives, but also on our health and well-being.

This campaign is about more than workloads—it’s about demanding respect for staff and ensuring safe, fair conditions for all. Your input and engagement are crucial as we move forward.

Please see attached documents for more information on what your union is doing to combat excessive workloads and how to effectively resist being asked to do more. Also below are the slides from the presentation at our branch meeting on the 5th of February.

First branch meeting of 2025 – 5th February, 1-2pm

Dear UoN UCU members,
We would like to invite you to our first UoN UCU branch meeting of the year. We will present and discuss our two campaigns for sustainable workloads and the incoming national ballot.

This meeting is a chance to come together, share experiences, and take collective steps toward addressing the challenges we face, linking our local activity into wider national campaigns. Links with information about the sustainable workload campaign are attached.

Date: 5 February

Time: 1-2 pm

Location: Hybrid meeting.*

In solidarity,

Nick

Nick Clare (new UoN UCU branch secretary)

*Please see newsletter dated 27th January for zoom link and location.

Wollaton Hall parkrun, in memory of Agnes Flues

On Saturday 9 November 2024, colleagues and friends of Agnes Flues were joined by her partner Manuel Peña Prieto at Wollaton Hall parkrun to celebrate her life and social justice, within UCU and beyond.

Photo credit Chris Tregnza https://tregenza.com/ucu-uon-parkrun-for-agnes/

Agnes was a regular runner, and Wollaton was her local parkrun. We were honoured that Manuel could join us and see our show of love and respect for Agnes.

Manuel leading the way with a UCU flag in hand – Photo credit Chris Tregnza https://tregenza.com/ucu-uon-parkrun-for-agnes/

Agnes was a tireless activist taking a number of roles on the UoN UCU branch committee, as well as having been elected to UCU’s National Executive Committee. In memory of all that she did, UoN UCU hope to gather in future years at Wollaton Hall parkrun on the nearest Saturday to her birthday. We therefore invited runners and their supporters to contribute to branch fundraising, which remains open.

A post-run collection – Manuel Peña Prieto photo credit

Participants and supporters wore UCU colours (pink and purple) and we also had a number of handheld UCU flags that caught the attention of fellow parkrun participants (642 finishers). The results are available on the Wollaton Hall parkrun website.

Further images from the day can be seen on Chris Tregnza’s website.