1. Industrial Action Ballot – We are the University
By now, you should all have received your ballot papers for the Joint Higher Education Trade Union National Claim. Please return these as soon as you can. The UCU ballot is aggregated, meaning that 50% of UCU’s total higher education membership across the country have to vote in order for the UCU to be able to take strike action.
Here is further information about the ballot: UCU – We are the University. If you would like campaign material for your part of the university, please get in touch with ucu-office@bristol.ac.uk.
2. Motions passed at General Meeting, 15 October
Last week we held a General Meeting on 15th October where two motions were passed. They are both available with the link below. One is about Combating the Rise of the Far Right and the other is about UNITE UCU Solidarity.
3. University Research Institutes (URI) Restructure – Cabot Open Letter
We told you a couple of weeks ago about the proposed restructure of the URIs: Cabot, Elizabeth Blackwell, Jean Golding & Brigstow. The current proposal is a real threat to the continued identity and capacity of the URIs.
Academic colleagues linked to Cabot have written this letter and are looking for more signatures. If you have ever worked with any of the other URIs, do please contact them to see if you can help with similar initiatives. The unions are supporting URI staff with developing a counterproposal.
4. International Day of Persons with Disabilities, 3rd December
Emilie Poletto-Lawson (Equalities Officer) and Stephen D’Evelyn (Disability Rep) are planning an online gathering on December 3rd to celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
The United Nations has not yet publicised a theme for the day globally. But we know how crucial it is to get reasonable adjustments implemented.
Would any of you like to contribute a 5 -10 minute presentation in relation to the theme of reasonable adjustments and working at the University? If so, and/or if you have any comments, you can email us at: husmde@bristol.ac.uk and emilie.poletto@bristol.ac.uk.
5. Become a Health & Safey Rep
Join our friendly group of UCU safety reps to help keep you and your colleagues safe and healthy at work. Reps raise health and safety issues (including work-related stress) with management, inspect the workplace, and investigate incidents. Reps receive paid time off for training and doing their role.
The next UCU training courses are in March 2026:
H&S 1: 10th, 18th, 26th March 2026 and H&S 2: 21st, 30th April & 6th May 2026 Online
Contact Laura Dickinson (l.dickinson@bristol.ac.uk) for more information.
6. Protect Refugees counter-protest 15th November
Bristol UCU will again take part in the counter-protest against another disgraceful far right protest, targeting hotels housing refugees. Let us (ucu-office@bristol.ac.uk) know if you are going and would like to help carry the Bristol UCU banner.
📍 Mercure Holland House Hotel, BS1 6SQ
🗓️ Saturday 15 Nov • 11:30 AM