Loughborough UCU

Tag: Conference

  • 2025 UCU Equality Groups Conferences

    The six UCU equality groups will each have a one-day hybrid conference this year. The broad conference theme will be ‘Organising against division: building inclusive workplaces, resisting reactionary politics‘.

    To register (deadline 31 Oct) please use this link, which will take you to the main equality groups conference page.

    The days of the conferences are (all from 11:00-16:00):

    The in-person venue will be UCU head office, and the online platform will be Zoom. Those joining remotely will be able to participate fully in the conference, including voting on motions and attending workshops. When registering for the event, you can select if you will attend either in-person or remotely. UCU normally reimburses the travel expenses of delegates attending in person following the conference.

    For more information, contact LUCU Equality Officer Angela Dy.

    *UCU uses the term ‘Black’ in a political sense to refer to people who are descended, through one or both parents, from Africa, the Caribbean, Asia (the middle-East to China) and Latin America. It refers to those from a visible minority who have a shared experience of oppression. The word is used to foster a sense of solidarity and empowerment.

  • Cradle to Grave 2025 Conference

    Registration is open for UCU’s Cradle to Grave conference, which will take place on Saturday 29th March.

    This annual conference is a chance for members to gather together to discuss some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the sectors where we organise. The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Education for liberation: building progressive post-16 education policy’. You can find out more about the conference, here.

    The conference will be run as a hybrid event, with options to attend in person at the CCT Venue, Smithfields, London or online via Zoom. We expect spaces for the in-person event to fill up quickly so register as soon as possible to secure your place.

    The deadline to register is Thursday 13th March and the conference is free to attend. You can book your place here.

  • LUCU News: October 2022

    In this newsletter, we report on local negotiations, UCU Rising, and upcoming training/conference opportunities. 

    Local Negotiations

    Cost of Living Support

    We are continuing discussions with management, including our Vice Chancellor, regarding support for staff during the cost-of-living crisis. We are pleased to report that senior leaders recognise the need to act on this important matter. We are discussing a range of measures to support members in this difficult financial climate – e.g. one-off payments, supermarket discount cards, discounted gym memberships.  Further information on this is expected shortly.   

    Project Expectation

    This project is related to the new University strategy and aims to ensure the accountability of managers at all levels.  LUCU has long argued that there are areas in the University where management practice could be better. Branch officers will be participating in the development and furtherance of this project: our aim is to improve members’ conditions through working with management to devise leadership development processes and best management practice recommendations.   

    Living Wage

    We have been working closely with the local Unison and Unite committees on a living wage campaign, and we can report that management has reiterated its commitment to paying staff the living wage and to becoming an accredited living wage employer. The Vice-Chancellor indicated his support for this in our October quarterly meeting with him, and so we expect further information on this in the coming months.  

    UCU Rising

    Just in case you haven’t voted yet, we again encourage you to return your ballots asap.  Also, a reminder that we have another GM on Wednesday, October 12 at 12 noon (you should have received a Teams invite). This meeting will offer another opportunity to discuss the issues on the ballot: USS, pay, workload, casualisation. 

    Conferences/Training Opportunities

    Annual Equality Groups Conference, 8-10 December 2022

    This year the equality groups conference will be focused on building a shared intersectional equality agenda that pushes back against far-right narratives looking to divide workers, with the aim of building solidarity among members. There will be the five separate conferences for black, disabled, LGBT+, migrant and women members to discuss issues relevant to their group, move motions and elect members to the national standing committees. It will take place at Conference Centre Hotel, Aston Street, Aston University Campus, Birmingham, B4 7ET.  

    Participants to the Black, Disabled, LGBT+, Migrant and Women’s conferences are self-nominating and delegates must self-identify with the relevant equality group. All members of UCU who self-identify with a relevant equality group(s) are invited to attend.   

    Registration deadline is Tuesday 8 November. This is set so UCU can accommodate all accommodation requests. For more information about this conference and for registration details please click here:  

     Climate and Ecological Emergency Annual Meeting, Thursday 10 November 2022

    The UCU Annual Meeting for Climate and Ecological Emergency will be held on Thursday 10 November 2022 online via Zoom from 11.00 am to 4.00pm. The annual meeting will advise and make recommendations to the climate and ecological emergency committee and National Executive Committee on matters relating to climate and ecological emergency and environmental sustainability.  The meeting will hear reports on the work of UCU in relation to the climate and ecological emergency, discuss motions submitted by branches and local associations. There will also be plenty of opportunity to network with colleagues.   

    Members with an interest in furthering the union’s work on climate and ecological emergency may register to attend the meeting. Registration deadline is Friday 4 November, 12 noon.  For more information about this conference and for registration details please click here.  

    LUCU Committee