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Dear members,
During this period of strike action it is more important than ever that we keep lines of communication open. Please attend the members’ meeting tomorrow, Thursday 16th October at 3pm. Zoom link here.
To build pressure against management’s devastating plans rallies are held on Thursday 16th, Tuesday 21st, and Thursday 23rd October from 12:40-1:20 pm marching from Trent Courtyard to the north side of the Portland building. Please make every effort to attend. There is also a national UCU online rally this evening at 6:30 pm to build solidarity between every union branch fighting back locally against employer attacks on the sector. Registration and more information here.
Read on for the following topics:
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- Dr Ting Chang
- Open senate positions
- Branch Committee meeting summary
- Equalities conferences
- Palestine Solidarity
- Academic and Technical staff Promotion Framework – Consultation
- Local and national campaigning
- Joining link and further information
Dr Ting Chang
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Ting Chang on Wednesday 8th October. Ting was an active UCU member and Rep for the department of Cultures, Media and Visual Studies. Her passion and dedication to quality education and working conditions were exemplary; her enthusiasm and smile at rallies and on the picket lines refreshing, and her support for staff and students outstanding. She fought for fair contracts for colleagues on casual contracts, pushed the university to take a firmer stance against racial abuse, and provided great support to other UCU reps and staff within the School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies.
It is a great loss for our union. She leaves behind fond memories to cherish and inspiration for the future.
Open senate positions
Senate elections are upcoming to fill a number of vacant positions. On the UK campus these are 2 x APM/TS at L1-6 and 1 x APM/TS at L7. We encourage all APM members to register to vote by 5pm Monday 20th October. If you wish to stand for any of these positions, and wish voters to be aware you are a UCU member please contact uonucubranch@gmail.com before completing the nomination form.
Branch Committee meeting summary
Your Branch Committee met today, Wednesday 15th October and discussed
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- The second annual Agnes Memorial Park Run on 8th November,
- Negotiation strategy with management,
- Agenda for tomorrow’s members’ meeting,
- Recruiting members to Branch Committee.
The Branch Committee meets weekly. If you would like Committee to discuss a particular topic please email the details to: uonucubranch@gmail.com
Equalities conferences
Any UCU member can sign up to attend in-person or online to any self-identified Equality strand conference as appropriate (Black, Disabled, Migrants, LGBT+, Women). Branches can submit motions that have been approved by a quorate branch general members meeting. Anyone who wants to know more, check here
or contact Lisa Rüll at REDACTED (UoN co-Equality Officer).
Palestine Solidarity
On Thursday, 9th October the Palestine Solidarity Working Group held a successful Zoom workshop on the Weaponisation of Antisemitism with Lubna Speitan and Haim Bresheeth-Zabner. The recording of the event is available here.
Moreover, together with students we have developed teaching material on issues around Palestine, which members may want to use in their teaching.
The students from the encampment have done a wonderful research job in establishing UoN’s complicity in the genocide in Gaza. Their updated research report and a range of shorter fact sheets can be found here.
On 29th October, 1-4 pm on University Park, UCU is hosting a broader platform meeting of Palestine Solidarity groups on campus. Details to follow. Please note the date in your diary.
More broadly we encourage members to sign Demilitarise Education’s Call to End University War Complicity.
Academic and Technical staff Promotion Framework – Consultation
The Framework and Criteria for promotions of Academics and Technical staff is currently being revised for implementation in academic year 2026/27.
All members have been sent the draft documents and a summary of the proposed changes by email (subject line Consultation on changes to Academic and Technical Promotions). Please check your inbox and share your feedback on these changes to REDACTED by Monday 20th October so your views can be included in the union’s feedback at the next Performance and Talent JNCC meeting on 21 October.
Local and national campaigning
Call on Nottinghamshire County Council to divest from apartheid
We encourage all members to sign Nottingham Palestine Solidarity Campaign’s petition demanding that Nottinghamshire County Council divests from from companies and organisations complicit in the genocide in Palestine
Currently the LGPS holds £170 million in shares in genocide-complicit companies. In line with the branch’s BDS motion and solidarity with Palestine motion the branch has given official support to the campaign.
Report anti-trans discrimination
Have you been questioned, stopped or challenged using a single-sex space? Fill in this form to help TransActual advocate on this issue at a national level.
Joining link and further information
Remember to pass on the online joining link to your colleagues.
Donate to the branch hardship fund here!
Having trouble at work? Please log a case with our large, competent casework team!
Need to talk to your Departmental Rep? Find the full list of UoN UCU reps here. If you are interested in becoming a departmental rep, get in touch!
Struggling with your mental health or wellbeing? UCU members get free access to confidential support service educationsupport.org.uk who can be called 24/7 on 08000 562 561.
Yours sincerely,
L Scott Blankenship and Will Paterson-Bassett, Branch Communications Officers, on behalf of UoN UCU Branch Committee
Branch website: https://uonucu.org/