Sunday 2nd November
11 – 12.30 public meeting, followed by UCU Left AGM 12.30 – 1pm
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/o-uI_I2ATJmXe8_l90KlNA
Speakers:
Maria Chondrogianni, UCU President
Serafeim Rizos, Greek trade unionists and teacher involved in the recent General Strike around Palestine
Wilf Sullivan, former TUC Race Equality Officer
Laura Miles, author of Transgender Resistance
Speakers from HE (Donna Brown) and FE (Regi Pilling)
From October, members in 200 branches in HE and FE are being balloted over pay and conditions. Meanwhile, dozens of individual UCU branches are in local fights over jobs, pay and conditions. In HE 4 of the 5 campus unions are coordinating industrial ballots for the first time – this could be game changing.
At this time of great struggle on and off our campuses we need to build a fighting UCU that stands for solidarity, equality, and hope — and for the protection and advancement of post-16 education for all.
At the same time, we face a wider social and political emergency. The rise of Reform UK and the far right, led by Tommy Robinson, are spreading hate and division, feeling emboldened on campuses and in communities. Anti-migrant rhetoric is intensifying, and communities across the UK are under attack. Labour’s inability to take equality seriously is leading to the continued threat to trans+ rights as well as the rights and safety of survivors of sexual abuse. Free speech and the right to protest are being crushed. Globally, the situation in Palestine remains devastating, and the climate crisis continues to accelerate, threatening the futures of students and workers alike.
Post-16 education is essential for the future of our communities, for equality and social cohesion. We must build collective action to protect education as a public good in a time of crisis.
Join us to hear from those fighting for a better world today, speakers include:
- FE and HE activists
- Greek trade unionist involved in the strike for Palestine
- Women Against the Far Right
- Trans Rights Activist