Email sent on Friday 31st October 2025
Dear members,
Thanks so much to all of you who could make the meeting yesterday – it has been lovely to see so many people, and to get all your input. As this was a teaching week, we know a number of people were unable to attend. So we wanted to recap on some of the key topics covered.
Meetings with management
In the last week we have had multiple meetings with management. These have included ‘lessons learned from phase 1’ and several Joint Negotiation and Consultation Committee meetings on a range of issues. Next week we will also have a new workstream meeting to discuss Phase 2. Beyond this we are finalising the date for our next dispute resolution meeting with the VC. So we just want to emphasise we are doing all we can to find a resolution, including meeting with local MPs and the Student Union.
Pressure is working
The dispute resolution meeting is only possible because of you. Both your overwhelming rejection of the previous ‘offer’ from management and your continued action. We now know that the pressure is starting to bite and the reality of such significant disruption this semester is worrying them. In particular we are starting to see increasingly underhand and unprecedented methods to ‘mitigate’ the impacts of your action. This includes forms asking us to fill in which days we will be taking action in the future. Under no circumstances should you fill these in. Make no mistake this is all testament to the fact that our strategy is working.
Assessments and marking
In particular this attempted mitigation is around assessments and we will be issuing updated FAQs on how to respond to requests from line managers, so do keep an eye out for this. Similarly, as marking starts to come in remember we are also on ASOS and look after yourself. Only mark within working hours, and if you receive a request to turn around specific marking more quickly ask explicitly what other tasks you should de-prioritise in order to get this done. Again, we will be updating our FAQs with specific marking advice soon.
Pay deductions and financial support
Pay deductions have now started to come through. Following incorrect deductions from the July action we have made sure these are now corrected, but do check your payslip just in case. We have also requested clear FAQs on how calculations are made and presented on pay slips as they can be quite confusing, and we will be seeking clarity on pension contributions. But again, if you have any concerns let us know.
You can now claim from the national fighting fund, and you received info on our local hardship support yesterday in an email from our Treasurer Tony Padilla.
National picture
The ballot is open for the national dispute. Do please vote in this and let your rep know when you have done so. If you have any photos of you posting your vote (ideally with dogs or/and babies included) send them our way! Following on from Jo Grady’s visit to our rally last week we have also been receiving more national coverage, and our wonderful Lopa and Jenny spoke last night at a UCU event ( https://www.youtube.com/live/NynAXduQCC8) with over 1300 attendees. Finally there is a national demo on the 12th November starting from Leicester train station at 11am. Members of the branch will be getting the train at 10.12 from town (or 10.18 from Beeston) so do please come along.
Strike plans
Finally, while we remain hopeful negotiations will be successful we need to be ready to carry out the next round of action in order to get the best deal we can. So to recap, we have the following strike action coming up.
10-14th November
17-21st November
24-25th November – Council days and mass pickets
1-5th December
8-12th December
The 24th and 25th of November are especially important as they are when Council will be signing off the Strategic Case for Change and other decisions for the Phase 2 restructure. So these are days where we expect all members to strike and attend picket lines and rallies. We will have the media and other speakers present. On the other weeks, we of course encourage you to strike on as many days as you can afford, but do continue to prioritise days where your absence will be disruptive. It remains important to threaten taking out whole modules wherever possible.
Following feedback from members we will also be having weekly pickets to build solidarity and maintain collective morale. We will start with one of these on the 10th of November to get our action off with a bang. More details will follow soon.
As always, look after yourself and please do let us know if you have any questions or concerns about anything.
In solidarity as always,
Nick (on behalf of branch Committee)