I would ask the Minister to point to where UCU have said this, but I know she cannot because the union hasn’t. She should delete her false accusation and apologise. Presenting mistruths as facts in order to fuel a culture war and smear others is beneath someone in her office.
UCU has condemned bullying and harassment, specifically in relation to events at Sussex. Our union has always been a vocal defender of academic freedom, while recognising that this has to be balanced alongside other democratic rights and freedoms.
The legislation being brought forward by the Conservative government will not resolve the fundamental issues at stake. Nor will false smears or weaponisation of this issue in attempt to generate support for it.
The government's narrow approach to this issue also fails to acknowledge other serious threats to academic freedom such as job insecurity. It would do well to get to grips with these issues rather than spending time stoking division.
UCU members have already demonstrated significant compromise. The ballot that ended strike action was a massive act of compromise. That compromise produced the JEP, & the JEP has vindicated & endorsed the position of UCU members. It has demonstrated the necessity of #USSstrike
The #USSstrike resulted in many of us losing 14 days pay. It required emotional support from loved ones. In some cases it diminished us in the eyes of some colleagues, and in other cases it resulted in punitive actions or threats from our employers.
If compromises are to be made, it is fair to demand they come from @UniversitiesUK & our employers. The JEP makes clear that with minor tweaks USS is sound. As such we need to understand the #USSstrike as employer initiated industrial action. We were left with no choice.
I'm v happy to see the disruptive role of Test 1 being acknowledged & criticised. I'm also v happy to see suggestion that employers attitude to risk & the affect this had on the covenant be re-evaluated. Likewise it's good to see assertion that updated data & measures be used.
"The great strike 2018" session at #AAG2018 IS OPEN! When I can I'll tweet here. Follow the hashtag #NotAllGeographers
speaking about what happened on social media during #USSstrikes via 3 slices. Slice one: EARLY
Early phase involved repugnance with neoliberal VC's & development of #notallgeographers hashtag. Complex psychosocial movement positioning certain VCs as neoliberal beast.
Not convinced current #UUK offer protects you from significant & long term pension cuts. What if I told you that it's not the only cut your #USS pension has experienced 👇👇👇 #USSstrikes
Cut 1: Employer pension contribution holidays
Between 1983-1997, employers cut their contributions from 18.55% to 14%, resulting in an estimated £7 billion being lost from the value of the fund.
Cut 2: Closure of USS as a final salary (FS) scheme
By closing FS scheme in 2015, & moving members into a lower value DB scheme, it is estimated the value of a #USS pension was cut by 20% on average.
As an industrial relations expert I've studied a lot of industrial disputes & have a few thoughts about this request from UUK. Join me 👇
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We might personally be eager to get back to work & end the strikes. This is understandable. But without any reassurances that we will maintain our DB pension, no strike action should be halted in order to return to the negotiating table.
If we use the junior doctors dispute as a recent example of a strike that many seemed destined to succeed & gained huge public support. But their goal was irreparably damaged & undermined by calling off action early, & without concrete contract improvements on the table.