Tag: unite the union

  • We Are The University Ballot

    Have you noticed how much smaller your slice of the wealth pie is, despite the pie growing?  In 2005, UK GDP was just over 2 trillion.  The latest figure, for 2023, was over 2 and a half trillion.  That is an extra five hundred billion pounds every year generated in the UK every year. An extra seven thousand pounds per year for every adult and child in the UK. And yet we’ve been told for so many years “there’s no money”.

    We were told that the financial crisis wasn’t the right time to ask for more.

    We were told that austerity wasn’t the right time to ask for more.

    We were told that the pandemic wasn’t the right time to ask for more.

    We’ve been waiting for the right time for the best part of 20 years.  We’ve been waiting for the good times to return, so that we can finally be allowed to ask for more.

    “The good times” aren’t coming back, because the good times never went away.  Many people have been getting richer and richer through that whole period.  But we haven’t.

    There’s no lack of money.  There’s a lack of fairness.

    Our work has been growing the pie this whole time.  But even though the pie has been growing, you’ve been given less pie.  Not just a smaller share of the bigger pie but less actual pie.

    Many of us probably hoped that an incoming Labour government would end the decline in the sector and begin the restoration of our pay.  It’s clear that this is not their intention.  But unless we’re holding out hope that a Reform government will be more generous, then the time to act is now. 

    The money is there.  Vote YES for action.

    If you’ve already voted but haven’t yet let UCU know, please complete this short form to do so.

    Please note that text messages you may have received from UCU about the ballot are genuine and not junk.

    Key Dates

    •             Sunday 23 November 2025 (23:59): replacement ballot request form closes

    •             Wednesday 26 November 2025: last ‘safe’ date to post the ballot

    •             Friday 28 November 2025 (17:00): ballot closes.

    UCU, Unite and Unison members at LU are balloting over pay at the same time.
  • Joint Campus Unions Photo

    Joint Campus Unions Photo

    Members of UCU, Unite, and Unison at Loughborough University are all balloting for industrial action — and we’re coming together to show our unity and strength.

    Join members and committee reps from all three unions for a joint gathering and photo to promote the ballots:

    Monday 27 October
    12:30pm
    Hazelrigg–Rutland Fountain, Loughborough East Midlands campus

    Bring your banners, colleagues, and solidarity! Everyone welcome!

    Let’s make a visible show of support for fair pay, fair conditions, and respect at work. Even if you can only drop by for a few minutes, your presence will make a real difference.

  • Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Mornings – Ballot Drop-in Sessions

    We’re holding a series of informal Friday morning drop-in sessions for members of all three unions to chat about the ballots, ask questions, and connect with colleagues across campus.

    Fridays, 9:30–11:30am

    • 24 October – Village Hub
    • 31 October – Edward Herbert Building
    • 7 November – Martin Hall
    • 14 November – West Park Teaching Hub
    • 21 November – Edward Herbert Building

    Come along for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to share thoughts on why this ballot matters. Everyone is welcome — the more conversations we have, the stronger our collective voice will be.

  • Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Mornings – Ballot Drop-in Sessions

    We’re holding a series of informal Friday morning drop-in sessions for members of all three unions to chat about the ballots, ask questions, and connect with colleagues across campus.

    Fridays, 9:30–11:30am

    • 24 October – Village Hub
    • 31 October – Edward Herbert Building
    • 7 November – Martin Hall
    • 14 November – West Park Teaching Hub
    • 21 November – Edward Herbert Building

    Come along for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to share thoughts on why this ballot matters. Everyone is welcome — the more conversations we have, the stronger our collective voice will be.

  • Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Mornings – Ballot Drop-in Sessions

    We’re holding a series of informal Friday morning drop-in sessions for members of all three unions to chat about the ballots, ask questions, and connect with colleagues across campus.

    Fridays, 9:30–11:30am

    • 24 October – Village Hub
    • 31 October – Edward Herbert Building
    • 7 November – Martin Hall
    • 14 November – West Park Teaching Hub
    • 21 November – Edward Herbert Building

    Come along for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to share thoughts on why this ballot matters. Everyone is welcome — the more conversations we have, the stronger our collective voice will be.

  • Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Mornings – Ballot Drop-in Sessions

    We’re holding a series of informal Friday morning drop-in sessions for members of all three unions to chat about the ballots, ask questions, and connect with colleagues across campus.

    Fridays, 9:30–11:30am

    • 24 October – Village Hub
    • 31 October – Edward Herbert Building
    • 7 November – Martin Hall
    • 14 November – West Park Teaching Hub
    • 21 November – Edward Herbert Building

    Come along for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to share thoughts on why this ballot matters. Everyone is welcome — the more conversations we have, the stronger our collective voice will be.

  • Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Morning – Ballot Drop-in Session

    Friday Coffee & Chat Mornings – Ballot Drop-in Sessions

    We’re holding a series of informal Friday morning drop-in sessions for members of all three unions to chat about the ballots, ask questions, and connect with colleagues across campus.

    Fridays, 9:30–11:30am

    • 24 October – Village Hub
    • 31 October – Edward Herbert Building
    • 7 November – Martin Hall
    • 14 November – West Park Teaching Hub
    • 21 November – Edward Herbert Building

    Come along for a coffee, a chat, and a chance to share thoughts on why this ballot matters. Everyone is welcome — the more conversations we have, the stronger our collective voice will be.

  • Staff Summer Picnic

    Join your LUCU colleagues to celebrate the end of the academic year at the Staff Summer Picnic

    The University and Staff Trade Unions are jointly hosting a Staff Summer Picnic on 1st July from 12-2pm at the EHB Pavilion on the Loughborough campus. This will be a special event to celebrate your achievements and take some time to relax and unwind.

    Organised in partnership with Unite, Unison and the University, colleagues can look forward to music and garden games like Jenga, cornhole, hoopla and more, plus the chance to meet with Staff Networks, Trade Unions, University Senior Leaders and teams from across the University. 

    And if you’re one of the first 150 guests to arrive, you’ll receive a free hot dog (vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options will be available)!

    This is a great opportunity to meet new faces, find out what’s happening across the University, and recognise each other’s hard work throughout the 2024-25 academic year in a relaxed and informal setting. 

    There’s no need to book – just come along, bring a friend or a teammate, and enjoy the afternoon.

    Vice-Chancellor Professor Nick Jennings and UNISON Branch Secretary Irvin Hendrickson commented: “We’re really proud this event is hosted in partnership between the University and our recognised Trade Unions. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to continue building a positive, inclusive and respectful working culture for all staff, and we’re looking forward to celebrating our progress with staff from across the University on the day.”

    We hope to see you (and some sunshine!) there.

  • Meeting: Anticasualisation at Loughborough

    You are invited to attend an open meeting on the topic of anticasualisation hosted by Loughborough UCU on Thursday 30th September at 1-2pm. The meeting will be held on Microsoft Teams.

    What: This meeting will discuss UCU’s campaign against casualisation at Loughborough, and provide updates on agreements made through the Casualisation Task and Finish Group. It will explore how to ensure gains made are properly implemented, and discuss where the campaign against casualisation at Loughborough and Loughborough London might go next. It will also be a chance for those concerned about casualisation to ask questions, offer suggestions and meet others. 

    Who for: Anyone concerned about casualisation in higher education, whether or not they are a member of UCU. You don’t need to be an experienced campaigner or knowledgeable about casual employment.

    This might include:

    ·       Hourly paid workers

    ·       Employees on fixed-term contracts

    ·       Those who have previously undertaken, or would like to undertake work at Loughborough

    ·       PhD students concerned about employment during and after their PhD

    Staff on open-ended contracts are also encouraged to attend to hear about why casualisation affects all staff, and how they can support anticasualisation efforts.

    Link to join the meeting on Thursday 30th September: Click here to join the meeting.

    LUCU Committee