1) Bristol UCU Graduation Demo Next Week & University of Bristol UNISON Graduation Strike Action
University of Bristol UNISON are taking strike action next week, Graduation Ceremonies week, 31st July-3rd August.
Bristol UCU will be joining them on their picket lines to publicize our Marking and Assessment Boycott, UoB’s Dodgy Degrees, and our joint pay and conditions dispute.
We’ll be handing out our UCU sashes for students to wear. Please attend dressed in UCU colours, pink and purple.
More details on Unison picket line locations and timings will be shared shortly. Wills Memorial will obviously be the key site.
2) UCU Fighting Fund and Local Hardship Fund: Financial Support for Colleagues Undertaking the MAB
For details on how to apply to our UK Fighting Fund and Local Hardship Fund:
Donations to the Bristol UCU Local Hardship Fund are always welcome:
https://www.ucubristol.org.uk/2021/11/27/bristol-ucu-hardship-fund/
3) MAB Participation and Deductions
Remember: you are no obligation to declare your future intention to take industrial action/ASOS. An email asking you to declare whether you are participating in the MAB from/at a future date can be answered with words to the effect of:
Thank you for your email. I am under no obligation to inform anyone of my participation in lawful industrial action in advance
Also note: if an individual declares the end of their participation in the boycott (or it is reported as such), they will be subject to no further deductions, and any outstanding marking that they have to do would be completed as per their current work pattern and contractual responsibilities.
It is not the case that you will be withheld pay if you are facing marking and not MAB-ing.
4) Branch Office Out-of-Office
Over August the branch office/branch inbox will not be fully staffed due to Branch Officers’ leave and availability. The Branch Officer is not closing but there will be some reduced capacity to reply to emails, etc.