It’s been a while

Posted on by marcw

There’s been a lot going on at Aberystwyth University in recent months. And a lot happening in UCU nationally and in Wales.

 

Two key things to ponder:

Firstly: the UCU elections to national bodies are underway. Please pay attention. The postal ballot closes on 2nd March. Last day to request replacement ballots is Thursday 26 February 2026.

Currently Welsh representation on the HEC will be limited (there is no Welsh HEC nominee on the ballot paper to represent Wales). That makes voting for HEC posts you are eligible to vote for more pertinent given the role of HEC in deciding on industrial action and negotiations with UCEA. These posts will be identified on your ballot papers.

 

Secondly: the Employment Rights Act 2025. This brings some significant changes to trade union activities and your protections. This includes removing the 50% turnout threshold for industrial action ballots and electronic voting. You can read a simple summary of the main changes here.

 

https://www.acas.org.uk/employment-rights-act-2025

 

Ballot for Industrial Action / Pleidlais dros Weithredu Diwydiannol

Posted on by marcw

Aber UCU members notice

1.	You should have received your ballot papers.

2.	Ballot runs to 28th November.

3.	The ballot is on launching industrial action in the form of strikes, and action short of a strike on the following matters:

   a)	a pay uplift that is at least RPI + 3.5% or £2,500, whichever is the higher, on all pay points
   b)	joint action to protect national agreements relating to terms and conditions of employment
   c)	a national agreement to avoid redundancies, course closures, and cuts to academic disciplines across the sector.

4.	If you have not received one then the replacement ballot request period is now open -  via this link here

5.	Membership details – check these are correct. In the event of IA or you bringing action against the university these need to be accurate for the national union to support you.

6.	If you have already voted please use the link here to let UCU know. This will also stop you receiving text messages and other notifications to vote.

7.	Feel free to share the ‘I’ve voted, have you’ social media posts. Tag in @ucuaber.bsky.social.  Be aware you must not share photos of the actual ballot paper (completed or not), only the envelope.

8.	If you wish to see more activity on campus to Get The Vote Out (GTVO) then please contact: Alison Garrod AGarrod@UCU.ORG.UK;  Susan Chapman scc@aber.ac.uk; Steph Jones  sbj@aber.ac.uk to volunteer some time. We have a number of posters and promotional material from UCU HQ to distribute.

9.	Aber UCU branch delegates are invited to national online meetings on 6th, 12th and 18th November. Share your views with dept reps or Executive members if you have something you wish conveyed at these forums or suggestions for what the branch needs to canvas views on.

10.	UCU HQ are also arranging a number of streamed ‘explaining the ballot’ events over the coming month. Keep an eye on your emails.

A statement of solidarity with marginalised communities by Aberystwyth UCU branch

Posted on by marcw

The motion titled: “A statement of solidarity with marginalised communities” was adopted by a quorate branch meeting on 16th September 2025

 

In the context of:

  • anti-immigrant and far-right mobilisation in the UK,
  • the demonisation of marginalised communities in public discourse,
  • the normalisation and promotion of populist ideas and policies that camouflage their xenophobic, racial, gender and sex based, identitarian, ethno-nationalist, conspiracy-laden origins and fundamentally regressive politics, narratives and values.

Aberystwyth UCU branch:

  • stand in solidarity with union members and other victims of such political rhetoric, structural and material violence that causes harm to others,
  • support the rights of freedom of expression and speech within the legal constraints designed to prevent harm to others,
  • believe encouraging others to commit acts of violence against individual human beings is incitement, not free speech,
  • acknowledge and support the efforts of multiple organisations, social movements and trade unions mobilising to freely express their own opposition to attempts to normalise and give political capital to the values and policies outlined above,
  • stand in opposition to the exclusionary Islamophobic and racist nationalism exemplified by “Unite the Kingdom” rally held on 13th September 2025.

Notice: Consultation responses to business cases

Posted on by marcw

Aberystwyth University trade unions have entered a period of ‘collective consultation’ and negotiation with the employer.

 

As part of the process unions will have access to responses to the consultation submitted by individual staff. This will be with personal information (e.g. names, or a comment based on someone’s personal circumstance, like a health issue) redacted. Union representatives only have access on the basis of maintaining confidentiality.

 

This will help unions to better understand the issues raised by staff, and ideas they may have proposed to address problems resulting from the proposals to restructure.

 

This post is also to notify members of UCU that as representatives of staff in the collective consultation individuals are welcome to send us direct a copy of their responses to or thoughts on a specific consultation. Please email ucustaff@aber.ac.uk if you wish to do this.

 

The more information we have the better placed we are to engage meaningfully in this collective consultation, to understand staff concerns and to negotiate on behalf of staff with the employer.

 

A Decade of Crisis – Dave Hitchcock

Posted on by marcw

This longer read will chime with many working in academia. It outlines how we have got here and how it feels to have worked in academia for the past decade.

It is also a useful insight for those outside it into why so many universities are in trouble right now and why, dear reader, you should care.

 

Dave Hitchcock is a Senior Lecturer in early modern British history at Canterbury Christ Church University and wrote this for History Workshop.

 

A Decade of Crisis

Solidarity to branches fighting for jobs

Posted on by marcw

Thousands of staff at campuses across the country are either in dispute and taking industrial action already or balloting to do so as a result of major cuts announced to staffing across the higher education sector over the last three or four months.

 

The Welsh and Scottish governments have announced modest support measures in recent weeks, but fundamentally the model for funding the training needs and research of the UK is broken. Government needs to act to Stop the Cuts.

 

Members can sign the UCU petition and find out more about the Stop the Cuts campaign here .