1. Bristol UCU Members on Strike: Picket, Rally and Donations
So far, we have not been able to reach agreement on withdrawing plans for compulsory redundancies in CALD (Centre for Language and Academic Development), where 45 staff are still at risk. Hope springs eternal that alternative proposals can still be negotiated, but for now we need to be ready for action.
The dispute in CALD has implications for all of us. Members in CALD are defending all our jobs and working conditions. Please join the picket lines and rallies. Bring all Bristol UCU colleagues. Families welcome! We want a large Bristol UCU turnout and a friendly picket and rally.
Wednesday 9th July.
Picket: Richmond Building. 8:30 – 10:30. (Join at any time and stay as long as you are able)
Rally: Victoria Rooms. 11:00 – 11:30 (ish) NB We may need to adjust this time!
Wednesday 16th July
Picket: Richmond Building. 10:45 – 12:45 (Join at any time and stay as long as you are able)
Rally: Victoria Rooms. 13:00 – 13:45 (ish) NB We may need to adjust this time!
Please donate to theBristol UCU local hardship fundto support our members. Share the link to donate with all your contacts, What’s Apps and whatnots.
A big thank you to everyone who has already donated!
✨ If we all donate, we can cover the planned 21 days of action entirely from donations! ✨
Suggested donations:
| Role | Donation |
| Student | £5 – 10 |
| Member of public | £5 – 10 |
| Up to I-Grade | £5 – 10 |
| J and K-Grade | £25 |
| L-Grade | £50 |
| M-Grade | £75 |
The 21 planned strike days in CALD are:
- Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 July
- Monday 14 July, Wednesday 16 July and Thursday 17 July
- Monday 21 July to Thursday 24 July
- Monday 28 July, Wednesday 30 July and Thursday 31 July
- Tuesday 5 August to Friday 8 August
- Monday 11 August
- Wednesday 13 August to Friday 15 August
Coverage of the dispute includes aUCU Press Release [LINK] andBBC coverage [LINK]
2. Pride events
Members have asked how to support our trans colleagues and students. Here are three events you can support. These are not UCU events, they are just an opportunity for all of us to come together as fellow humans and one strong community:
- Pride Day 2025
Pride is taking place on Saturday, 12th July. We will be joining the Parade March and be part of the Main Festival on The Downs. For details of the University’s meeting location and timings for the Bristol Parade March, please email edi-team@bristol.ac.uk.
- TheirPRIDEStories[Develop Link to Register]
This year’s TheirPRIDEStories will take place on Wednesday 9th July and will feature Dr Sandra Duffy, a human rights law academic and Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Network. Open to all University of Bristol staff. Please enrol on Develop via the link above.
- Pride Week Film Screening
Thursday 10 July, 4:45 pm, Arts Complex, Lecture Theatre 3. The story of Will Ferrell and his best friend Harper Steele, who embark on a road trip across America following Harper coming out as a trans woman in 2022. All students and staff are welcome.