Email sent to members on Monday 11th May 2026.
Dear members
Please bookmark this email. It contains the following important information for future reference:
- Details on the financial support available from both the national and local fighting funds for taking part in industrial action, including the marking and assessment boycott (MAB)
- Details on how to donate to our solidarity fund for those who are unable to take part in the MAB
Financial support during the MAB
The employer is expected to deliver pay deductions for members taking part in industrial action. However, we will be able to offer financial support to help lessen the impact of this.
In the event of partial pay deductions for taking part in the MAB, members will be able to access the local solidarity fund. In the event of 100% pay deductions, they will be able to access both the local fund and the national UCU fighting fund.
National UCU fighting fund: When pay is deducted in full, whether as part of a MAB or through strike action, members can apply to the national UCU fighting fund for support. They can apply for support after two waiting days ie from the third day of action onwards. They can then apply for up to a maximum of 8 days at £75/day (<£30k salary) or £50/day (>£30k salary). The national fund cannot be used in the event of partial pay deductions.
Details on how to apply to national fighting fund can be found here.
Members should apply to the national fund first before looking to access the local solidarity fund.
Local solidarity fund: In addition to national support, the branch will also be able to support members taking part in the forthcoming MAB. Thanks to previous donations from members and other branches, we have recently been able to build up healthy financial reserves in our solidarity fund. To this end, for as long as funds are available, we will offer:
- Up to £500 to cover the first two months of the MAB.
- If the MAB is cut short before that time, we will offer £20/day up to a maximum of £500.
Members do not need to request the full amount. In fact, in order to ensure that funds remain available to those in greatest financial need, we encourage members to consider asking for less if they feel able to do so.
We hope to be able to increase this offer provided we receive enough support from further donations (see below)
Details on how to apply to local solidarity fund will be shared in due course. Note that you will have to provide evidence of relevant salary deductions on your pay slip, in order to apply for this support in both cases.
Members with acute financial needs can apply to the branch for an immediate loan ahead of the decision – please email the branch (uonucubranch@gmail.com) and mark your email ‘loan request’.
Supporting other members taking part in the MAB
All members able to impact assessments should take part in the MAB. However, if you are not involved in assessments, we ask that you donate to the local solidarity fund to help support those who are taking part and share the burden of financial responsibility.
We recommend a donation of at least a quarter of your take home salary for each day of the MAB. Members who wish to donate more are, of course, welcome to do so! Here are the details to donate to the local solidarity fund by bank transfer:
UCU Nottingham LA63 Hardship Fund
Account number: 20346359
Sort code: 60-83-01
Ref: MAB 2026
In the event the management does not go through with pay deductions for those taking part in a MAB, we will offer to return all donations back to the donor.
If you have any questions about this, please contact me directly.
In solidarity