A debate is currently underway about how democracy in UCU should work, with some members arguing that more use should be made of e-ballots. This is UCU Left’s view.
Union democracy as principle and necessity
For trade unions democracy is …
1st of February was magnificent. Let’s build on it to forge a movement that can win
Last Wednesday 1 February we saw our potential power to win – not just the battles over pay that are currently rocking the public sector, but the fight to defend a decent society against years of cuts and privatisation.
Hundreds …
The dates are out
Build the strikes but push for action that can win quickly
University employers have now been notified of seventeen further strike dates following next Wednesday’s walkout when we will strike and march alongside NEU, PCS, ASLEF and RMT members.
The …
30th Jan: Building the Fightback and Getting the Leadership We Need
UCU Left open meeting
Speakers Include:
Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP. Member of Parliament for Streatham
Phil Clarke. Vice President, National Education Union
Member of the striking French teachers’ union
Member of PCS National Executive
Maria Chondrogianni. UCU NEC …
HEC revamps the General Secretary’s strike plan, but we still may need to escalate sooner rather than later
Last week’s decision to call 19 days of strike action during February and March (including on 1 February the TUC’s ‘right to strike’ day) came after a sharp argument across the UCU about the future of our disputes.
Once again …
HEC votes to call escalating action
The UCU Higher Education Committee (HEC) met on Thursday 12 January to review the union’s industrial action strategy in both disputes.
What is at stake
First, the Committee Secretary and elected UCU negotiators reported on the progress of pay negotiations.…
Branches want more action than the General Secretary is offering
In recent days there has been an unprecedented level of debate and discussion in our union about the next steps in our disputes.
Once again we stand in awe at the commitment and energy of our members on campuses across …
Everything to play for at today’s Branch Delegate Meeting
Anyone who witnessed last night’s UCU Twitter event on our disputes knows there is a real problem.
You don’t have to be a cynic to see the event as stage-managed. Despite being billed as a debate, only eight speakers were …
2023: The year our side breaks through or another missed opportunity?
Twenty twenty-two will be remembered as the year that organised labour returned. More strike days have been lost since the summer than any time since 2011. Perhaps more importantly than the numbers is the attempt to coordinate the action across …
Pre-BDM Open Meeting 7pm 4th January
Fighting the HE disputes
What strategy do we need and how should we decide it?

The General Secretary has proposed an alternative to the strategy passed by the Higher Education Committee on November 3rd. Instead of a January marking and …