Loughborough UCU

Tag: members

  • Check Your UCU Registered Email Address Today

    Changes to trade union legislation mean that UCU will soon be able to use electronic balloting in certain circumstances, including some union elections and industrial action ballots.

    For many members, this is a positive step. Voting online is quicker, more convenient and can make it easier for members to take part in the democratic life of our union. But there is one important thing every member needs to do before e-balloting can become a reality.

    Make Sure UCU Has a Personal Email Address for You

    To receive electronic ballot information, UCU must hold a personal email address on your membership record.

    Importantly, this does not need to be your primary email address. If you prefer to keep your university email as your main contact address, you can simply add a personal email address as a secondary email address on your account.

    The key point is that UCU must have a personal email address recorded for you.

    This is a legal requirement. The legislation does not allow statutory union ballots to be conducted through an employer-provided email address. As a result, members who only have a university email address registered with UCU may not be able to participate in future electronic ballots.

    Why This Matters

    As a branch, we want every member of UCU at Loughborough University to be able to have their say in union elections, consultations and industrial action ballots.

    Ballots are often decided by relatively small margins, and participation matters. The more members who are able to vote easily and conveniently, the stronger and more representative our democratic processes become.

    Ensuring your details are up to date now will help UCU make the most of new e-balloting opportunities as they become available.

    What You Need to Do

    Please take a couple of minutes to:

    1. Log in to MyUCU (click here).
    2. Check the contact details held on your account.
    3. Make sure a personal email address is listed.
    4. If you only have a work email registered, add a personal email address. It can be added as a secondary address if you prefer.

    A quick check now could make the difference between being able to vote electronically in future ballots and missing out altogether and will help ensure that your voice can continue to be heard in the union’s democratic processes.

  • LUCU Weekly Restructure Update Meeting – For All Members

    Following the announcement of proposals on the forthcoming Professional Services restructure, we are inviting all branch members to a series of meetings to provide updates, discuss developments, and gather your views.

    These meetings are an important space for us to come together as a union, to support colleagues who may be directly affected, share information, and collectively explore alternative proposals to reduce costs and protect jobs.

    All meetings will take place online via MS Teams, from 13:00–13:50 on the following dates:

    • Friday 22 May
    • Wednesday 27 May
    • Friday 5 June
    • Wednesday 10 June

    These meetings are open to all members. We strongly encourage attendance from colleagues who may be directly affected, as well as those not currently at risk. Your presence and solidarity matter. Members have been emailed a link to join the meetings, if you can’t find the link please get in touch with the branch by emailing ucu@lboro.ac.uk.

    If you have ideas or suggestions for alternative ways to make savings that could help mitigate redundancies, please come along and share them. Your expertise and insight are vital during this consultation period.

    This is a moment where collective action and unity can make a real difference. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

  • LUCU Weekly Restructure Update Meeting – For All Members

    Following the announcement of proposals on the forthcoming Professional Services restructure, we are inviting all branch members to a series of meetings to provide updates, discuss developments, and gather your views.

    These meetings are an important space for us to come together as a union, to support colleagues who may be directly affected, share information, and collectively explore alternative proposals to reduce costs and protect jobs.

    All meetings will take place online via MS Teams, from 13:00–13:50 on the following dates:

    • Friday 22 May
    • Wednesday 27 May
    • Friday 5 June
    • Wednesday 10 June

    These meetings are open to all members. We strongly encourage attendance from colleagues who may be directly affected, as well as those not currently at risk. Your presence and solidarity matter. Members have been emailed a link to join the meetings, if you can’t find the link please get in touch with the branch by emailing ucu@lboro.ac.uk.

    If you have ideas or suggestions for alternative ways to make savings that could help mitigate redundancies, please come along and share them. Your expertise and insight are vital during this consultation period.

    This is a moment where collective action and unity can make a real difference. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

  • LUCU Weekly Restructure Update Meeting – For All Members

    Following the announcement of proposals on the forthcoming Professional Services restructure, we are inviting all branch members to a series of meetings to provide updates, discuss developments, and gather your views.

    These meetings are an important space for us to come together as a union, to support colleagues who may be directly affected, share information, and collectively explore alternative proposals to reduce costs and protect jobs.

    All meetings will take place online via MS Teams, from 13:00–13:50 on the following dates:

    • Friday 22 May
    • Wednesday 27 May
    • Friday 5 June
    • Wednesday 10 June

    These meetings are open to all members. We strongly encourage attendance from colleagues who may be directly affected, as well as those not currently at risk. Your presence and solidarity matter. Members have been emailed a link to join the meetings, if you can’t find the link please get in touch with the branch by emailing ucu@lboro.ac.uk.

    If you have ideas or suggestions for alternative ways to make savings that could help mitigate redundancies, please come along and share them. Your expertise and insight are vital during this consultation period.

    This is a moment where collective action and unity can make a real difference. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

  • LUCU Weekly Restructure Update Meeting – For All Members

    Following the announcement of proposals on the forthcoming Professional Services restructure, we are inviting all branch members to a series of meetings to provide updates, discuss developments, and gather your views.

    These meetings are an important space for us to come together as a union, to support colleagues who may be directly affected, share information, and collectively explore alternative proposals to reduce costs and protect jobs.

    All meetings will take place online via MS Teams, from 13:00–13:50 on the following dates:

    • Friday 22 May
    • Wednesday 27 May
    • Friday 5 June
    • Wednesday 10 June

    These meetings are open to all members. We strongly encourage attendance from colleagues who may be directly affected, as well as those not currently at risk. Your presence and solidarity matter. Members have been emailed a link to join the meetings, if you can’t find the link please get in touch with the branch by emailing ucu@lboro.ac.uk.

    If you have ideas or suggestions for alternative ways to make savings that could help mitigate redundancies, please come along and share them. Your expertise and insight are vital during this consultation period.

    This is a moment where collective action and unity can make a real difference. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.

  • West Bridgford LUCU Social

    West Bridgford LUCU Social

    All LUCU members, friends and family welcome and particularly for people who live around Nottingham, local members will be grabbing a drink on Friday 22 May, at 7 p.m. at the Stratford Haven in West Bridgford.

    No need to RSVP per se, but if you can let Anthony Kevins know you’re planning to come, he can see about trying to reserve tables if the numbers warrant it.

  • LUCU Meet and Greet at the Staff Fair – 14 May

    IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Staff Fair (and therefore our Meet and Greet) has been postponed by the University – we will update you with the new date when it is provided.

    Loughborough UCU will be at the University Staff Fair on Thursday 14 May, 10am–12pm, and we’d love you to come and say hello.

    We’ll be hosting a Loughborough UCU Meet and Greet at our stall in the James France Exhibition Area. This is a great opportunity for current members to drop by, catch up, and meet and chat informally with branch committee members and activists about the work UCU is doing locally and nationally.

    If you’re not yet a UCU member but are interested in finding out more, you’re very welcome too. Come along to ask questions, find out how UCU supports staff at Loughborough, and learn how to get involved if you wish.

    Whether you’re new to the university or have been here a while, please feel free to stop by, we look forward to meeting you.

  • LUCU Meet and Greet at the Staff Fair

    LUCU Meet and Greet at the Staff Fair

    IMPORTANT UPDATE: The Staff Fair (and therefore our Meet and Greet) has been postponed by the University – we will update you with the new date when it is provided.

    Loughborough UCU will be at the University Staff Fair on Thursday 14 May, 10am–12pm, and we’d love you to come and say hello.

    We’ll be hosting a Loughborough UCU Meet and Greet at our stall in the James France Exhibition Area. This is a great opportunity for current members to drop by, catch up, and meet and chat informally with branch committee members and activists about the work UCU is doing locally and nationally.

    If you’re not yet a UCU member but are interested in finding out more, you’re very welcome too. Come along to ask questions, find out how UCU supports staff at Loughborough, and learn how to get involved if you wish.

    Whether you’re new to the university or have been here a while, please feel free to stop by, we look forward to meeting you.

  • Reduce Your UCU Subscription Cost by Claiming Tax Relief

    As we’ve entered a new tax year, it’s a great time to remind UCU members that you may be able to reduce the cost of your union subscription by claiming tax relief from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

    How does it work?

    UCU is an HMRC‑approved professional body. This means eligible members can claim income tax relief on up to 67% of their annual UCU subscription, at the tax rate that applies to their earnings.

    How much could you claim back?

    The exact amount depends on how much you earn, your UCU subscription rate & whether you pay basic or higher‑rate tax.

    As an example:

    • A basic‑rate taxpayer could typically reclaim 20% of 67% (13.4%) of your annual subscription
    • A higher‑rate taxpayer could reclaim 40% of 67% (26.8%) of your annual subscription

    Even modest claims can add up, especially if you’re claiming for multiple years.

    You can backdate your claim

    You don’t just have to claim for the current tax year. HMRC allows you to claim for up to four previous tax years, as long as you were a UCU member during that time and haven’t already claimed.

    How do you claim?

    You can claim tax relief in whichever way suits you best:

    • Online, via your Government Gateway account
    • By post, using HMRC’s form
    • By phone, by contacting HMRC directly

    When completing your claim, UCU subscriptions should be listed under “professional fees and subscriptions”.

    All the guidance you need, including what figures to use and how to submit your claim, is available on the national UCU website here.

    Don’t leave it unclaimed

    Claiming tax relief on your UCU membership is straightforward, legitimate, and could save you money every year. With the new tax year now underway, it’s an ideal moment to make sure you’re not missing out.

  • Member Consultation on Outcome of Ballot

    Member Consultation on Outcome of Ballot

    We invite all our members to an online meeting to discuss the outcome of the “We Are the University” ballot, which is due to be announced on Monday 1st December.

    Date: Tuesday 2nd December
    Time: 12:00–12:50pm
    Location: Online via MS Teams

    The purpose of this meeting is to gauge members’ views on the ballot result, and the next steps the union should take. Your input will be vital in shaping the branch’s position, which will be fed upwards to our national negotiators and HE Committee next Thursday.

    A calendar invite, including the Teams link to join the meeting, has been sent to all members (attached to the email advertising this meeting).

    We strongly encourage all members to attend and contribute to this important discussion.

  • LUCU Get Together

    We’re delighted to invite all our members to our first Loughborough UCU Get Together of the new academic year!

    Join us on Wednesday 29th October from 1–2pm at the UCU Office – 3 Holywell Drive (map) – for a relaxed and friendly lunchtime gathering to:

    • Reconnect with fellow union members after the summer break
    • Meet your branch committee and find out what’s coming up this year
    • Enjoy tea, coffee, and biscuits on us!

    Whether you’re a long-standing member or new to the branch, this is a great opportunity to catch up, share ideas, and strengthen the sense of community that makes our union what it is.

    There’s no agenda — just good conversation and a warm welcome. We hope to see you there!

  • Join the Branch WhatsApp Groups

    We would like to remind members that we have two WhatsApp groups available for your use (see below for the links). The first group is for all members, regardless of which campus you work on. The second group is specifically for London campus members. These groups were initially set up to allow members to communicate during strike action when the use of work email is discouraged. The WhatsApp groups have developed into a fantastic branch building forum, enabling members to stay informed and up to date on the latest dispute news and – more broadly – to connect with each other and engage in discussions on union issues.

    Our branch is committed to extending engagement with our membership, so that we can more effectively represent your interests. We encourage all members (both those in Loughborough and in London) to join and participate in our main WhatsApp group. We believe that, together, we can create positive change and better working conditions for all.

    We should emphasise that, while we welcome questions and feedback via WhatsApp, it is essential to email the branch directly if you have a message for the committee. This ensures that nothing is missed, and allows us to address any concerns as quickly and effectively as possible.

    All members should have been emailed the links to join this week however if you still need the link(s) to join please email ucu@lboro.ac.uk.

    In summary: stay connected, stay informed and let your voice be heard