Category Archives: Solidarity

In Solidarity with the Students of Alareer Square

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Dear Students of Alareer Square,

We, the University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU branch, once again express our unwavering solidarity and support for the students who have protested against the destruction of Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force, and especially to the student who is now facing court proceedings as a result of the events that took place at Alareer Square during the weekend of June 22-23.

We remain deeply concerned about the actions taken against students participating in peaceful demonstrations at the University of Liverpool in support of the Palestinian people amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Footage of students being pushed to the ground and dragged by police highlighted the excessive measures taken during these events. We strongly reassert that physical force and intimidation against students engaged in legitimate and peaceful protest have no place on the University campus.

It is particularly troubling that one student is now facing court as a consequence of these actions, which we believe reflects a failure on the part of the University to uphold its duty of care to its students. The fact that the trigger for the police intervention was the use of chalk exemplifies the unnecessary escalation and criminalisation of peaceful protest.

We believe the University should have done more to discourage police escalation and protect the rights of its students and should now be doing more to support students facing legal consequences for peaceful political protest.

The President of the PCS union conveyed his entire union’s wholehearted support to the students, alongside the RMT, UCU, the Liverpool dock workers, and Liverpool TUC. Solidarity was received from across the world, from student unions and movements in the USA, Brazil, and Kashmir, including a central Brazilian trade union movement and the Palestinian postal workers union. From their own experience, these organisations recognise the threat that a university closing down protest and freedom of expression poses to a nation’s wellbeing.

We recall the University’s early statements, which emphasised the importance of peaceful protest and free speech. These principles are fundamental to the democratic life of our academic community, and the students’ stand is a crucial contribution to this ethos.

The University has not spoken out to condemn the police assaults on students, nor to offer legal and other support to the student facing criminal charges.

We urge the University to take a firm stance in defence of its students. As a minimum, we expect the University to confirm that there will be no detriment to students involved in the encampment, nor to staff who have supported our students, and to express full support for any students arrested for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Moreover, we stand in full support of the student now facing court, recognising the bravery and importance of their actions.

In solidarity,
Mark O’Brien
President of University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU

Solidarity with Queen Mary University of London UCU

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Solidarity from University of Liverpool & Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU.

We are outraged that QM management instructed security staff to break into your union office to remove Palestine solidarity posters, especially as they justified it in terms of freedom of speech! Such actions clearly demonstrate how university employers are complicit with the genocide in Palestine, and that they will do anything to suppress resistance and solidarity. Coming after the last couple of years, where QM management have been among the most punitive in relation to industrial action, it is clear that they see the union as a threat, and will do anything to undermine it. We send you our support and solidarity. Don’t let the *** grind you down!

Reinstate Barry Saunders now!

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The University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU is appalled by the sacking of Barry Saunders, Unite Rep at the University of Liverpool.

Barry has done no more than represent Unite members competently, consistently, and conscientiously. He has stood up to bullying managers and has supported Unite members when they have demanded fair treatment.

UCU sees this victimisation as an attack on trade unionism at the University and stands full square behind the Unite campaign for Barry’s reinstatement. UCU members are asked to show practical solidarity at every opportunity.

Reinstate Barry Saunders now!

Solidarity with University of Aberdeen UCU

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A quorate meeting of the branch on 29th February 2024 passed the following motion in support of the fight against cuts to the Modern Languages courses at University of Aberdeen.

Motion 1: Solidarity with Aberdeen UCU

This branch notes:

  • Plans to cut modern languages courses at Aberdeen University
  • Including Gaelic, one of the few institutions to teach the language to degree level
  • The threat to approximately 30 jobs
  • The 80% vote for strike action by UCU Aberdeen branch members
  • The increasing number of HE institutions, including pre-92 and post-92 universities, which are introducing:
      • spending and recruitment freezes
      • departmental restructures
      • voluntary and compulsory redundancies

This branch believes:

  • The wide range of cuts and attacks are not happening at once by coincidence
  • If our employers are coordinating their attacks, we must collectivise our response

The branch resolves:

  • To support UCU Aberdeen branch in its fight against cuts, including the industrial action beginning 12th March
  • To donate £500 to UCU Aberdeen branch funds to support members
  • To support and publicise UCU Aberdeen campaign materials and activities
  • To amplify calls for a collective response to the wider employers’ offensive

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Branch members can find further ways to support the UCU UoA campaign at https://linktr.ee/uoaucu

Solidarity with Sheffield Hallam UCU

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To all at Sheffield Hallam UCU

We send a message of solidarity from University of Liverpool & Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU branch.

We all know that voluntary severance schemes are neither voluntary – in the sense that staff are often pressured into volunteering – nor the end of the story. Voluntary schemes are so often followed up with compulsory redundancies (for example recently at Brighton University) that the voluntary phase could be seen as a deliberate tactic to scare staff into jumping before they are pushed. It is particularly heartless to announce the scheme just before the Christmas holidays. What a horrible gift to give to staff.

We note that SHU is planning to open a London campus. University of Liverpool did this a few years ago, and it was a complete disaster. Not only did it cost a vast amount of money, it also failed to attract students, and was ultimately closed down with the loss of all jobs. The fact that universities don’t learn from each other, and avoid such pointless ventures, is baffling.

A year later, our management announced 47 job cuts at the Liverpool campus, and we began our battle over redundancies. Our first step was to immediately ballot for action, which allowed us to rally the branch and take strike action in the run up to a marking and assessment boycott. We would recommend preparing for a ballot as soon as you can, so that you are able to take action during term time if needed. Ours was a difficult battle, but ultimately we won through a combination of the determination of our members, and the amazing solidarity we received from other UCU branches. If there is anything we can do to support your branch in the battles ahead, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

In solidarity

Branch Committee
University of Liverpool & Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine UCU

Solidarity with Bournemouth UCU

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At an AGM on 9th June, the branch carried a motion in support of twinning with Bournemouth University UCU to support their marking and assessment boycott over the current National Four Fights and USS dispute.

The motion resolutions were:

  • To twin with Bournemouth UCU branch, including:
  • To make an initial donation of up to £5,000 to Bournemouth’s strike fund from our branch
  • To ask our members to donate, where possible, up to 1 day’s pay per week to Bournemouth while the branch remains on boycott
  • To ask our members to send messages of solidarity to Bournemouth branch, and share their social media posts, publicity, etc
  • To ask Bournemouth branch for regular updates on the boycott, and invite some of their members to attend our next branch meeting

Members can…
Post your messages of solidarity and support on our dedicated Kudoboard.

Show your support with a financial contribution to their gofundme campaign (campaign is in the name of the branch treasurer).

Raise awareness of their ongoing boycott via their Twitter account.

Liverpool University UCU Branch supports Bournemouth UCU in holding the line in the fight against pay inequality, spiralling workloads, casualisation, pay degradation and devalued pensions!

Statement of support for RMT

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We wish RMT members on Merseyside and all the other regions taking strike action on 21, 23 and 25 June success in their justified industrial action campaign over pay, working conditions and job security. When our UCU branch fought to defend jobs in 2021 we had fantastic solidarity from the wider trade union movement, and we understand the importance of trade unions supporting each other in their different fights. We are also totally opposed to any attempt by the Tory government to restrict the right to strike with minimum service requirements, and see this as an attack on all unions. We will support your picket lines and RMT speakers will be very welcome at our members meetings. Solidarity to the RMT!

Peta Bulmer, President, University of Liverpool UCU, and Branch Committee

Solidarity for UCU University of Liverpool

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Part of the UCU banner with the slogan "You'll never march alone"

Solidarity!

A large number of UCU members and branches have sent our branch messages of solidarity in our fight to stop the job cuts in HLS. We have also received messages from other unions and organisations, along with donations to our local strike fund.

Check out our Solidarity webpage here: ulivucunews.org.uk/previous-actions/project-shape-redundancies/solidarity/

To read about our campaign against the redundancies, visit: www.hls47.co.uk

Please send messages of solidarity and invitations for speakers to your meetings to laut@liverpool.ac.uk

Please make donations to our strike fund here: www.ulivucunews.org.uk/hardship-fund

Thank you to everyone who has contacted the branch with messages of solidarity and donations to our strike fund. It makes all the difference.

Stand up for Equalities. Step up for Dawn.

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Today we exercise our democratic right to elect a new government. However, the 8 June is also significant in the history of the struggle for the vote for women. On this day in 1913, the suffragette Emily Davison died of her injuries four days after falling under the king’s horse at the Epsom Derby.

At lunch-time today the University of Liverpool UCU branch stepped up for sacked Equalities Officer Dawn Holdman. UCU members gathered to demand Dawn’s reinstatement following her victimisation for trade union activity.

Dawn’s campaign has the full support of the national UCU.

Also see our Dawn Holdman Statement.

STEP UP FOR DAWN

8-june-2017-2-resampled

UCU branch Motion carried for Free Movement Of Labour In Higher Education

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The following motion was carried at a mass joint union meeting attended by approximately 200 members on October 20th 2016.

FREE MOVEMENT OF LABOUR IN HIGHER EDUCATION

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches condemn in the strongest possible terms the proposal by home secretary Amber Rudd to restrict the entry of international students to ‘top’ universities and to introduce labour market tests aimed at reducing the numbers of international staff. We note this will impact on all post 16 educational institutions.

UK universities and all post 16 educational institutions depend on international students and staff not just in economic terms but in their very mission: to serve as spaces that are open to all people regardless of nationality and background. As such, the home secretary’s proposals are both nonsensical and racist.

The linking of student immigration rules to the government’s determination to further stratify higher education is especially pernicious. It is designed to maximise competition between HE providers and to blame ‘foreigners’ for the underinvestment and cuts for which they are not responsible.

These proposals come in the light of the recent vote to leave the EU that has endangered the existing free movement of labour within the European Economic Area (EEA). If this is ended, EEA staff will be drawn under the Points-Based Immigration Scheme, meaning that they will be subject to the same continual visa restrictions, employer-sponsorship arrangements, etc., that our international colleagues face. Similar barriers will likely be placed on UK nationals living in or moving to the EEA.

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches believe that ending freedom of movement of labour would represent a significant worsening of the conditions of present and future EEA staff in the UK. Any restrictions on freedom of movement of labour, and our right to work without discrimination based on nationality, will put increasing competitive pressure on EEA staff, and thus affect staff as a whole and weaken our union.

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches resolve urgently to campaign for the following:

  • No upper limits on the numbers of international students who wish to come to the UK and to study at universities or post 16 educational institutions of their choice
  • The immediate removal of international students from net migration targets
  • The free movement of labour and opposition to the Points-Based Immigration Scheme
  • An up-front guarantee for existing EU/EEA citizens in the UK to stay here
  • Protection for EU research funding and EU students
  • Full recognition of workers’ rights throughout EU withdrawal negotiations

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches further resolve

  • To publicise the fact that this motion has been passed and encourage other UCU, Unite and Unison branches to do likewise
  • To submit this motion, when passed, to the NEC of UCU, Unite and Unison.
  • To liaise with other branches regarding submitting a version of this motion to their respective National Conferences in 2017

FREE MOVEMENT OF LABOUR IN HIGHER EDUCATION

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University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches condemn in the strongest possible terms the proposal by home secretary Amber Rudd to restrict the entry of international students to ‘top’ universities and to introduce labour market tests aimed at reducing the numbers of international staff. We note this will impact on all post 16 educational institutions.

UK universities and all post 16 educational institutions depend on international students and staff not just in economic terms but in their very mission: to serve as spaces that are open to all people regardless of nationality and background. As such, the home secretary’s proposals are both nonsensical and racist.

The linking of student immigration rules to the government’s determination to further stratify higher education is especially pernicious. It is designed to maximise competition between HE providers and to blame ‘foreigners’ for the underinvestment and cuts for which they are not responsible.

These proposals come in the light of the recent vote to leave the EU that has endangered the existing free movement of labour within the European Economic Area (EEA). If this is ended, EEA staff will be drawn under the Points-Based Immigration Scheme, meaning that they will be subject to the same continual visa restrictions, employer-sponsorship arrangements, etc., that our international colleagues face. Similar barriers will likely be placed on UK nationals living in or moving to the EEA.

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches believe that ending freedom of movement of labour would represent a significant worsening of the conditions of present and future EEA staff in the UK. Any restrictions on freedom of movement of labour, and our right to work without discrimination based on nationality, will put increasing competitive pressure on EEA staff, and thus affect staff as a whole and weaken our union.

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches resolve urgently to campaign for the following:

– No upper limits on the numbers of international students who wish to come to the UK and to study at universities or post 16 educational institutions of their choice

– the immediate removal of international students from net migration targets

– the free movement of labour and opposition to the Points-Based Immigration Scheme

– an up-front guarantee for existing EU/EEA citizens in the UK to stay here

– protection for EU research funding and EU students

– full recognition of workers’ rights throughout EU withdrawal negotiations

University of Liverpool UCU, Unite and Unison branches further resolve

– to publicise the fact that this motion has been passed and encourage other UCU, Unite and Unison branches to do likewise

– to submit this motion, when passed, to the NEC of UCU, Unite and Unison.

-to liaise with other branches regarding submitting a version of this motion to their respective National Conferences in 2017

 

 

Walk for the Liverpool Women’s Hospital

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Bring the family, bring your friends. Make your own placard to say why you care about the hospital.

What are we marching for?

Full public funding – enough to allow Liverpool Women’s Hospital to thrive, for all our sisters, mothers, daughters and babies.

No privatisation or cuts.

No loss of beds.

Better funding for midwives and an improved maternity tariff.

Keep the focus on women and babies.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital is a 20-year-old world class hospital on a good site. It’s the largest maternity hospital in Europe and cares for more than 50,000 patients a year. Last year it provided antenatal care to 9,926 women, delivered 8,648 babies, cared for 1,091 babies in the neonatal unit, provided postnatal care to 8,221 women, fertility treatment to 2,247 couples and abortion care for the city and beyond. Its future is under threat because of inadequate maternity funding, lack of investment, funding problems for all the NHS and the rampant privatisation and market focus in the NHS.

Please see the flyer: SLWH leaflet for the march

Save ‘Graduate to Merseyside’

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This service, part of the Careers and Employability Service, every year finds employment placements in local organisations and companies. These lead to high quality jobs for hundreds of graduates of the University of Liverpool.
Now, the University has decided to scrap it!

But Graduate to Merseyside is crucial to:

 The civic role of the University
 Connections to the City of Liverpool
 Local retention of graduates
 The economic relevance of the University
 Relationships with local business
 Local partnerships
 Student recruitment

UCU general meeting

(open to non-members)

1pm., Wednesday, 18 June 2015

Rendall Building, Seminar Room 11 (Room 121)

UCU calls upon the University of Liverpool to core fund this vital service!

Graduate to Merseyside (PDF)

Northern Ireland public sector strike 13/03/15

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Public sector unions are today striking over the Stormont regional assembly’s austerity drive to remove 20,000 public sector jobs. Rallies are taking place at Belfast, Londonderry, Newry, Strabane, Omagh, Enniskillen, Coleraine, Magherafelt, Cookstown, Dungannon and Craigavon. NHS, education, criminal justice and other public sector workers are taking part in the strike across Northern Ireland. UCU Liverpool offers support and solidarity to staff striking to preserve public sector services in Northern Ireland at this crucial time where welfare spending and public services are under severe threat following the Stormont House spending cuts agreement of 2014.

UCU University of Liverpool statement on FBU firefighters strike

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The UCU branch of University of Liverpool offers support and solidarity to the striking firefighters in their 24 hour action today. This strike is part of an ongoing industrial dispute following UK Government proposals to force firefighters to retire later, pay more into pensions and retire with a smaller pension. These highly questionable proposals would see firefighters of 60 years of age forced to operate on the frontline of firefighting services, posing serious questions for the safety of firefighters and the public.

 

Liverpool Pride

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This year the UCU had a contingent in the Liverpool Pride Event which was held on 3rd August. The entry was organised by the UCU Equality Officer at the University of Liverpool Branch and support was shown by the regional office as Janet Newsham also attended. The event was a great success and we hope to advertise more widely next year and look into the possibility of having a stall.