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.