Author: L Scott Blankenship

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Update and invite to member’s meeting Monday 2nd June 1-2pm

Email sent to members Tuesday 27th May 2025

Dear members,

I hope you were able to have some much needed time off over the bank holiday? We are just writing with some key updates to events happening both here and nationally, so apologies for the amount of information but we have tried to keep it as clear as we can!

Member’s meeting – Monday 2nd June, 1-2pm

We have called this meeting to provide you all with more updates on our dispute with the University. After the excellent response to the indicative ballot, UCU has now formally sent our ballot information to the VC Jane Norman and the full ballot will open for a month from the 30th of May. As ever it is crucial we have a strong turnout in this ballot, in order to respond to both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and so you will be hearing from our wonderful reps as they help get the vote out.

This meeting is a chance to hear from the committee about all the meetings we have been having with management, ask questions about the dispute and ballot, and provide feedback on potential industrial action plans as we move into summer, next academic year, and even Phase 2. The meeting link can be found below:

UCU UoN is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: UCU UoN’s Member Meeting

Time: Jun 2, 2025 13:00 London

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87172097595?pwd=uAFTwas32QouWEmBibmEJtFQCVzaz1.1

Meeting ID: 871 7209 7595

Passcode: 918987

Phase 1 update

Lopa, Andreas, and Andrew recently sent you a detailed update on Phase 1 of Future Nottingham. Since then the deadline for VR applications has been extended to the 9th of June and we have continued to meet with University management and have submitted and discussed a range of questions and queries about the process. These questions reflect the fact that we have still not received proper and meaningful information about Phase 1 and therefore we still dispute that we are in a proper period of collective consultation which would enable us to give counter-proposals.  

As you can see from the many comments on the staff sharepoint, there is a strong response from staff that communication from the University has been unclear and confusing, and that the way pooling and redundancies have been handled has been rushed. This has been disastrous for staff wellbeing, and is why it is so important we have a strong turnout in the upcoming ballot. 

You received emails from our APM officer Andrew Armstrong on Friday 23rd about area-specific member meetings for APM staff so please do come along to these, and we will be continuing to roll out faculty-wide, all staff meetings over the coming weeks to help provide all UoN staff with as much clarity as we possibly can. We are also working with our sister unions so that all staff can push back together.

Phase 2 information

While officially we are being told that Phase 2 is yet to start, as we flagged with the situation in American and Canadian Studies, academic restructuring decisions are already being taken without proper stakeholder consultation. An increased focus on ‘performance management’ through unprecedented use of protected conversations and potential changes to the ADC process is also underway. 

Recently the short-sighted decision to shut down the important (and surplus-generating) evening classes and some inter-faculty programmes at the language centre, with the potential cost of over 20 jobs, shows exactly why we need a strong turnout in the ballot. We must hold the University to account in both Phases 1 and 2. 

As soon as we have any more concrete information on Phase 2 we will of course share it with you, especially as we know that Faculty level discussions have begun.

National picture updates

Finally, just some wider information on the national picture following the UCU congress at the weekend. Our fantastic delegates (Lisa, Gertjan, and Alan) will provide a fuller report in time, but the key thing to note is that the ‘Trade Dispute’ motion that we overwhelmingly supported as a branch was passed at congress. This Times Higher article gives a bit more detail on what this could mean, but we feel this is a positive step for exploring other avenues at a national level – something crucial given the derisory 1.4% pay offer from UCEA.

In solidarity,


Nick (Branch secretary) 

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2025 Immigration White Paper: Information for members

On Monday 12 May 2025, the government published an immigration white paper outlining intended changes to the immigration system. As the summary of the proposals demonstrates, these proposals will further marginalize migrants in the UK. Not only will the proposed measures make it more difficult to come and stay in the UK, as well as financially costly (current costs can be viewed here), they also exude a yet further hardening of the anti-immigrant rhetoric the Labour government has adopted wholesale from its Conservative predecessor. The prime minister’s speech to announce the white paper has been widely condemned by trade unions (UCU’s statement) and migrant rights organisations.

As a branch committee we reject the distressing rhetoric and these retrograde measures. We know this is a troubling time for our migrant members and those whose loved ones are migrants. We join you in fervently hoping that many of these proposals will not be turned into law or policy. We will not stand by, nor will UCU at large.

UCU stands firmly in support of migrant members and for a fair and humane immigration system. Migrant members are formally recognised as one of the equality groups the union represents. An annual conference for migrant members is held, which elects a Migrant Members Standing Committee (MMSC) to advise the National Executive Committee [requires myUCU login]. UCU’s Stop the Cuts campaign demands ‘an end to hostile environment policies that make the UK an unwelcoming place for international students’, while UCU’s political campaigning also calls for better treatment of migrant staff. In negotiations with employers over pay and conditions, UCU has pushed to include reimbursement of immigration costs and ensuring pay levels meet government imposed thresholds for visa eligibility in the joint trade union claim. 

The University of Nottingham provides a comparatively generous immigration expenses reimbursement scheme. Our branch’s strong opposition to proposals to weaken the scheme a year ago has ensured it stayed that way. The university’s ambition to be a global university, in our view, means it should do all it can to remove the excessive financial burdens migrant staff and their families face when moving to the UK.

In support of individual members, the MMSC and equality team at UCU head office continuously monitor changes to immigration law and policy. Briefing materials and webinars to help members navigate changes are regularly provided. UCU is supported by qualified immigration lawyers from Bindmans LLP. Members can also request individual legal support on matters of immigration law related to their employment. Before reaching out for legal support or to head office officials, contact the branch for casework support. 
At this time, it is important to stress that however concerning the government’s announcements are, their proposals are not yet in force. The existing rules will continue to apply for now. If you find that the university appears to proceed as if new rules are already in force, for instance if you are needing to renew your visa or become eligible for ILR, please get in touch with the branch immediately so we can get you casework support.

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Joint union transgender solidarity statement

UCU and UNISON at the University of Nottingham are deeply concerned at the widespread, harmful implications of last month’s Supreme Court ruling and subsequent EHRC guidance. At a time of growing transphobic harassment and discrimination across the UK, this ruling is the latest frightening setback for trans rights and freedoms. 

This decision has the direct effect of further removing transgender and non-binary people from public life, and has come about through lobbying by groups aligning themselves with the far-right such as the LGB Alliance and For Women Scotland, bankrolled by a small number of billionaires. Transphobic rhetoric and policy in the UK is being used to create a moral panic in order to distract us from government failures, including a failure to prosecute sexual violence. Our branches remain steadfast in our commitment to defending and promoting trans rights, both at this University and beyond.

That the Supreme Court made this judgement without hearing from a single transgender person is a matter of fact, as is its allowing of interventions and evidence from other, so-called “gender-critical”, groups. A Court is, or should be, bound to hear evidence from all sides in a dispute in order to reach an unbiased and sound judgement.

Trans women have existed in a wide range of societies  for centuries, and science has recognised this. There is no evidence  to support any claim that trans and non-binary people pose a threat to the safety of cis women. The Equalities Act 2010, together with the Gender Recognition Act 2004, have given a legal position for the UK which has operated well through their combined framework for the last 15 years, extending rights to trans and non-trans women and men alike. The ruling itself does not remove the right to the same protections from discrimination as others, as enshrined in the Equalities Act 2010.

We stand in solidarity with trans, non-binary and intersex workers and students and their families at this time, and we will continue to fight for a future when all minorities can live together as one, with respect and dignity.

UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM

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Info for Annual General Meeting – Wednesday 30th April 1 – 2.30

Email sent to members on Wednesday 23rd April 2025. Content has been modified slightly for the purposes of this post.

Dear member,

I am writing to you with some more information about next week’s Annual General Meeting (on Wednesday 30th April). Given how much is going on at the moment the AGM will be a slightly longer meeting than usual and will take place between 1 to 2.30 pm.

The AGM is the occasion to declare the election results of Executive Officers and Officers (and ordinary members of branch committee),  for 2025/26 and ensure member approval. I’m pleased to announce that nominations (and seconders) were received for all the roles that needed to be filled. There were no more than one nominee per role (aside from shared roles) and thus no ballots have been necessary. A full list of nominees and positions is linked below. 

The agenda (below) also includes reports from our President and Treasurer. There are also two motions (linked below) for us to discuss. The first is locally focused and surrounds progressive pay structures and how these could help save jobs. The second is UK-wide and calls on the National Union to adopt a new approach towards funding in the sector. This ‘Trade Dispute’ motion is to determine how our delegates vote at the upcoming UCU National Congress, and you can also register your views on other Congress motions through this Google Form. Both motions are branch motions which the committee supports, but please do look over the motions in advance of the meeting, there will be plenty of time to discuss them.

As a committee we have also written to the VC Jane Norman wishing her a swift recovery following her diagnosis.

Finally I have two reminders:

  1. We have our first Agnes Flues Memorial Lecture tomorrow night (Thursday 24th, 6pm) and you can still register for last minute tickets at this link.
  2. If you haven’t already done so, please vote in the indicative ballot. You will have received an email from UCU National titled “IMPORTANT: University of Nottingham UCU consultative ballot” so do also check your spam folder if you haven’t seen it yet.

As always in solidarity,

Nick Clare (Branch Secretary)

UCU UoN is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: UCU UoN AGM
Time: Apr 30, 2025 13:00 London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88616322843?pwd=R2XekibdbDSSh4Iglw3HbWFYXLTvvd.1

Meeting ID: 886 1632 2843
Passcode: 929647

AGM Agenda – Wednesday 30th April 1.00 – 2.30

  1. Welcome and introduction (Lopa Leach – President)
  2. Branch Committee membership 2025/26 (Nick Clare – Secretary)
  3. President’s report on 2024/25 (Lopa Leach – President)
  4. Treasurer’s report on 2024/25 (Tony Padilla – Treasurer)
  5. Debate and vote on Motion 1: “New progressive pay structure for highest earners to protect jobs at UoN” (attached)
  6. Debate and vote on Motion 2: ”Support a Trade Dispute with Secretary of State for Education over Funding” (attached)
  7. Congress preparation
  8. Any Other Business

Motion 1: New progressive pay structure for highest earners to protect jobs at UoN

Motion 2: Support a Trade Dispute with Secretary of State for Education over Funding

Nominees for UoNUCU Branch Committee 2025-2026

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Open letter in solidarity with Language Centre staff

You can sign the open letter here

Dear Helen McNamara and Sandra Taylor,

We, the undersigned University of Nottingham staff, write in solidarity with casually engaged workers at the Language Centre.

Like casual workers across the University, casual staff at the Centre face serious challenges, including late and incorrect payments, poor communication, and cumbersome administrative processes. Casual engagements also offer lower pay, fewer benefits, and less job security compared to fixed-term or permanent contracts. Casual staff at the Centre convene, deliver, and assess undergraduate modules. Others teach evening classes. Some staff do both and have worked full-time equivalent hours for years—yet remain on precarious contracts.

The introduction of Unicore has worsened administrative difficulties. Submission deadlines for timesheets have been unclear and frequently changed. Staff have received conflicting instructions and struggle to navigate the system with errors in account access, multiple payroll codes with no explanation, and difficulties in claiming payment for marking work. These issues are compounded by often poor communication, putting the onus on staff to chase after missed payments. 

The financial and personal impact of these failings has been immense. Some staff have had to borrow money to cover essential bills due to delayed wages. The stress of financial uncertainty and administrative inefficiency is taking its toll on staff well-being. It is unacceptable that staff who are dedicated to delivering high-quality teaching should be left struggling to manage their own livelihoods due to an employer’s failure to meet basic contractual obligations. 

Staff at the Language Centre have been raising the above concerns since at least October 2024. Meanwhile, the Principles for Casual Engagements —which aim to limit casualisation at the University—were agreed in October 2023. Promises to explore moving Language Centre workers onto more secure, fixed-term contracts—including a promise from the HR Business Partner for the Faculty of Arts—have not been followed by action. Instead, the only response has been emergency bank transfers, which fail to address the underlying issues. Meanwhile, poor work conditions are not only hurting casual staff but also undermining the Language Centre’s ability to recruit and retain talent; workers are choosing to leave rather than tolerate unacceptable treatment.

We call on the University to take immediate action:

  • Apologise to casual staff across the University for administrative failures, particularly pay delays. 
  • Ensure all outstanding payments are made without further delay and establish clear, robust systems to prevent future issues.
  • Implement the transition of eligible casual staff—as per the Principles—to fixed-term or permanent contracts, with a clear and transparent timeline.

As an institution committed to fairness, integrity, and academic excellence, the University of Nottingham has a moral and contractual duty to treat its staff with dignity and respect. We urge you to act now to address these concerns and request a formal response outlining the steps that will be taken.

Signatories