UCU have called a day of action in every University on Friday 20th November. We will be working with sister unions to ensure the biggest possible support for protests, rallies and events.
This is part of our fight to protect jobs and courses as well as build solidarity across the union.
Aberystwyth UCU branch passed the following motion at its AGM on 18th June 2026. Along with many other branches we call on our members to support a global academic boycott of Sheffield University over the actions taken against its staff.
Motion reads:
UCU Congress runs 27th to 29th May, with UCU Higher Education Sector Conference (HESC) on the 28th.
Marc Welsh (President) and Stuart McGowan (H&S Rep) are attending as delegates for Aber UCU.
We will provide a report of key decisions taken afterwards and to the Aber UCU AGM on 18th June.
Members can view the agenda and motions on the UCU website here
There are 78 motions to Congress to debate, and 29 to HESC. They range from campaigning to finance to tactical to crisis in HE motions.
Please contact Marc or Stuart if you have specific points about the Congress or HESC business to raise.
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
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.
The motion titled: “A statement of solidarity with marginalised communities” was adopted by a quorate branch meeting on 16th September 2025
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.
The Professional Services Review has been underway for months. Every university service department is being reviewed and a business case (a proposal for changes in structure) being prepared.