National dispute 2021-2022 (USS and Four Fights)
The national Fighting Fund was available for this nation-wide action (Four Fights and USS dispute). Please note that there was a cap of 11 days payable for the whole period of continuous action from 1st December 2021 through to 1st April 2022. For additional assistance, beyond the Fighting Fund for urgent and imminent need, please see our Local Fund. See detailed list of action dates, for rates and exclusion days or other general advice see the FF page.
1. 1st Dec 2021 to 3rd Dec 2021 strike – FF is confirmed to be paid from the 2nd day of action. You are recommended to simply state the total days of action (typically 3) on the MyUCU form in the two fields when asked how many days of action taken/claimed, you will likely need to upload your Jan payslip showing deductions on MyUCU. If you have not not claimed for this period yet, you can still make a separate MyUCU claim or add 3 days of action to your later claim (see below).
2. 14th Feb to 2nd March strike – 10 days of action for most people, you will likely see these deductions on your March payslip, allowing you to claim national FF. You are recommended to simply state the total days of action (typically 10) on the MyUCU form in the two fields when asked how many days of action taken/claimed (note – national UCU will pay a maximum of 11 days based on the whole action since Dec).
3. 28th March to 1st April strike – we are still checking with national UCU regarding this period due to the 11 day limit being reached for most people. Deductions for this period will likely be taken on the April payslip. For immediate support please apply to our Local Fund below.
Fighting Fund (IMPORTANT SHAPE notes and how to claim for each action)
Following industrial action members are reminded they can apply for the UCU national Fighting Fund to supplement deducted earnings. For the August strike (04/08-14/08) Fighting Fund will be provided directly by the local branch (see below).
When to submit your SHAPE Fighting Fund application(s)
You must make individual/ separate FF claims for distinct action(s):
1. 24/05-11/06 strike: Deductions for the intitial action ending 11/06 occured in the July payslip, you can claim national FF at any time for this action by uploading your July payslip on the national FF webform. You will likely input 14 in both fields asking for days of action & how many you care claiming for (a max. of 11 days is paid by FF for this action).
2. 18/06-05/07 boycott action: Deductions for the boycott action occured in the October payslip, you can claim national FF at any time for this action by uploading your October payslip on the national FF webform. A max. of 12 days is paid by FF for this action. Note – the branch president has advised that there is no 3 day penalty for this action, rates are £50 per day (earning over £30k) or £75 per day (earning under £30k).
3. 04/08-14/08 strike: For the Aug 4-14th action the normal Fighting Fund is provided directly by our local branch, rather than national UCU. For this specific strike period please do not apply to the national FF site, instead you can make your claim using our secure Webform (the webform has been emailed to all branch members, it it not posted online for security reasons).The webform requires MWS login and Duo dual authentication. Note that 7th and 14th Aug were Saturdays, please only factor those dates if you lost pay for striking on those days. Rates reflect typical historic national Fighting Fund rates (£50 per day from your third day of strike onwards, for those members earning over £30,000. £75 per day from your second day of strike onwards, for those members earning under £30,000). You must be able to demonstrate deductions due to industrial action (however, for casualised staff or problems evidencing action please describe any difficulties on the webform and simply complete other sections). If you are in a position where you can go without making a claim or you feel able to claim for a lesser amount please consider doing so in order that we can prioritise those whose loss of pay may cause particular hardship. The Fund will be able to support more members for longer if you can contribute in this way. To claim for a lower amount than your expected claim, please note this and sum required on the webform. For additional advice or problems completing the webform please contact the branch office. Note, the Local Fund for additional urgent and imminent need is a separate process, you can see details about our Local Fund lower down this page.
Local Fund (UCU Liverpool Branch)
The Local Fighting Fund was available over the SHAPE dispute and supplemented by a Wage Sharing scheme.
Note on UoL boycott deductions
The university deducted pay for participation in the marking and assessment boycott from 18/06 in the October 2021 payslip. It is possible to claim national FF for the boycott period (see national Fighting Fund advice above). LF is also available for the boycott action should circumstances require this.
Marking and Assessment Boycott from 20 April 2023
The national Fighting Fund will be made available to members participating in the boycott and facing 50% or more in pay deductions. The Fund will pay up to an additional 9 days’ pay at the appropriate rate. In these circumstances the overall cap will rise to 20 days comprising 11 days of strike action prior to 30 April and 9 days strike or action short of strike after 1 May 2023. For action taken after 1 May 2023, where the employer has deducted between 50% and 99% of daily pay for partial performance, the Fund will pay the following: * £30 for each day of ASOS taken by members earning £30,000 gross or more per annum; and, * up to £45 for each day of ASOS taken by members earning less than £30,000 gross per annum. This is subject to a cap of 9 days. In these circumstances the overall cap will be 20 days (11 days of strike action prior to 30 April and 9 days strike or action short of strike after 1 May 2023). See UCU FAQs above for detailed information.
Local Fund will also be available as usual to our members, see instructions on the online claimform. Non-MAB participants are encouraged to engage in wage sharing to support boycotting staff, please see our donations page.