The #UCU election results are quite good overall. We could use more good people running.
The turnout, unsurprisingly was worse than the baseline though I’m gonna have to dig out all the numbers again.
However having @markpe as chair of HEC is a relief for me.
Delighted to announce I have been elected UCU Vice President from the FE sector. I am honoured by all those who voted for me and endlessly thankful to everyone who supported my campaign. I pledge to listen to members and fight for our sector with fierce energy and integrity. Let's do this 💪
If you're a USS member of @ucu.org.uk , then you've probably heard some talk of Conditional Indexation. It'll likely be on the agenda at this year's HE Sector Conference, and I've written a very basic primer for anyone that's interested.
open.substack.com/pub/dyfrigjo...
What else is there to say but: these people were warned and warned and warned again about this, going back well over ten years and further, and their constant response was: absolutely fuck you, you are all idiots and we are the smart, Sensible people whom understand what the public like and want.
I've voted in #ucu elections, have you? Last chance to post your ballot!
If you'd like a better UCU (the one we have is sometimes pretty dreadful), please vote for @markpendleton.bsky.social @suzitoole.bsky.social and the list here: ucucommons.org/who-else-sho...
It’s not all elections at #ucu.
This afternoon I’m joining the induction for the new Congress Business Committee, the elected body that determines how our annual congress runs. This year it will be in Harrogate at the end of May.
Congress is our peak democratic body, but how democratic is it?
For the Monday morning folk: I’ll be skeeting my answers to the #ucu VP hustings each day this week.
Intro comments out yesterday and now the first member-submitted question (and my shortest answer at 42 seconds):
“What political parties, if any, are you a member of?”
I went along to the Certification Office today, so you didn’t have to.
A brief update on McGaughey and Blake vs UCU
dyfrigjones.substack.com/p/brief-repo...
And thank god that HE is devolved in Wales. Zia Yusuf has threatened to de-fund Bangor University, but he’ll need to win this year’s Senedd election first. The people of Wales know better than to hand power to such tyrants. Vote Plaid Cymru in May to keep Reform out.
There will be the inevitable screams of “free speech!”, of course, but they are, as always, bogus. Reform have plenty of platforms to spread their bile. None of us have to invite them into our homes, our workplaces, our socieites and associations, our spaces.
Official statement from Bangor University Debating and Political Society, rejecting Reform UK’s demand that they be allowed to address the society.
I’m really proud of Bangor University students today. Very much in the spirit of Penrhyndeudraeth lad Bertrand Russell, when he said that “nothing fruitful or sincere could ever emerge from an association between us”, when invited to debate Oswald Mosley.
Excellent as always from @markpendleton.bsky.social
I just posted my ballot voting for @markpendleton.bsky.social @suzitoole.bsky.social and the entire @ucucommons.org slate!
“ I want to live in Dubai” said nobody ever
Excellent piece on casualisation from @hagenilda.bsky.social
cdbu.org.uk/our-employer...
📅 24 February marks 4 years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Four years of resistance. Four years of solidarity.
But the fight for justice isn’t over. 🧵⬇️
I had a friend who was on a year abroad at the University of Reunion in 1997/98. I scanned a photo and sent it to him over email, and it crashed the entire university’s server.
I really did intend to read all the election addresses, but then decided not to bother and used the @ucucommons.org cheat sheet (below) instead. Apologies to my fellow candidates, and good luck!
A huge turnout of staff, students and community members against the proposed closure of the Uni of Essex campus in Southend.
Thanks to @ucuessex.bsky.social for the invitation to speak about what’s happening at Sheffield - your fight is our fight! And solidarity for your picket lines next week!
It also seems to be an article written for THE rather than the THE reporting on peer-reviewed research. I’m very skeptical of research on student use of GenAI that relies on self-reporting, which this seems to be.
This is so grim and it happening under a so-called Labour government is unforgivable
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Just published this - UCU belongs to its members - these elections matter! Please use your vote in the upcoming union election. michaelabberton.medium.com/ucu-belongs-...
Photo of UCU ballot envelope
My ballot papers just arrived for the @ucu.org.uk NEC and VP elections. I’ll be voting for @markpendleton.bsky.social and @suzitoole.bsky.social for the Vice Presidential posts, as well as the candidates on this slate: campaignforucudemocracy.com/2025/11/26/2...
Wedi mwynhau cyfrannu at Y Sgwrs Fawr am ddyfodol darlledu cyhoeddus ar bodlediad Andy Bell. Linc isod:
Text reads: “Tomorrow is the start of LGBT+ History Month, a time when we acknowledge, remember and celebrate our queer pasts. Our union has a strong history of advancing LGBTQ+ equality in our workplaces, in the trade union movement and beyond.”
Text reads: “At a time when the rights of marginalised people are under attack, we need people across our institutions to stand up for all of us - that classic trade union line of ‘an injury to one is an injury to all’ has never been more important.”
Text reads: “That’s why we’re proud today to be endorsed by the chairs of all five of UCU’s equality committees - Black members, disabled members, LGBTQ+ members, migrant members and women members.”
A photograph of Suzi Toole and Mark Pendleton wearing UCU beanies, accompanied by this text: “Our commitment to advancing the union’s equality agenda is unwavering and will be a cornerstone of our work as hopefully your next UCU vice-presidents. Suzi Toole & Mark Pendleton”
Today’s start of LGBT+ history month is a great time to focus on and recommit to the important work UCU does to advance LGBTQ+ and wider equality.
My contributions to that have led to endorsement from the chairs of all five of UCU’s equality committees. Thank you.
ucucommons.org/endorsements/
Text reads: “Our union needs to come together and work across differences. Years of neglect and often outright hostility have taken post-16 education very close to the edge. Our employers don’t have a plan, and neither do successive governments, including the deeply disappointing current one. This can and must change. “In that climate of neglect, we as education workers must make the case for education as a public good, change the narrative and build more coherent and impactful campaigns using the full resources of the union.”
Text reads: “We also need to be better at harnessing the brilliant expertise, experience and potential of you, our members. I know that is possible from the work we’ve done in my local branch at Sheffield. We have developed ways to work alongside each other, despite differences, and have increased membership density in key areas and built member confidence and engagement in challenging management’s agenda of job cuts and spiraling workloads. “I am asking for your vote as I believe I am best placed to help our union become a more effective force for change over the next four years. Read more about my background and what I bring to this role at commons.org/mark4vp”
Text reads: “Unusually this year we have a double vice-presidential election, one from higher education and one from further education. All members should vote for both positions, regardless of which sector you vote in. I’m proud to be supporting Suzi Toole for the VP (FE) post. Suzi and I know each other well from joint work across the union’s equalities agenda, and on national committees. “As a resident of the northwest, I’ve also witnessed first-hand Suzi’s brilliant leadership at Bolton College, building a strong and engaged membership that has achieved significant wins, including two pay uplifts in a single year. Check out Suzi’s website at www.suzitooleforvp.com if you want to know more about why you should vote for her.”
Image of Suzi Toole and Mark Pendleton wearing pink UCU beanies outside Bolton College. Text reads: “Alongside a suite of exceptional candidates for other posts, Suzi and I are committed to helping guide our union to be more responsive, effective and powerful. We will help build a member-led union that can lead the change we so desperately need across post-16 education.”
From this Friday, #ucu members will receive ballot papers for this year’s elections. I am running for election as Vice-President (Higher Education), to become President in 2029–30. Read why below and at ucucommons.org/mark4vp/
I also support @suzitoole.bsky.social for VP (Further Education).
From Friday 30th of Jan, you will receive ballot papers for this year’s UCU elections. I am standing for election as Vice-President (Further Education) of #UCU and am asking for your vote.
Find out more about me and the candidates I support at suzitooleforvp.com
I hope I can count on your support
📣Education International sends a strong message to #Palestinian educators after a delegation of education leaders from 15 countries was detained and interrogated for hours.
‼️Attempts to intimidate, isolate, or silence educators will only strengthen our collective determination and solidarity.
📅 Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 Join our webinar on Tue 27 Jan, 13:00- 14:00 (Zoom) with Prof Eve Rosenhaft from the University of Liverpool.
We will outline what we know about the genocide of Europe’s Roma, the gaps that remain, and its lessons and legacies today.
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
UCU - Write to your MP: Defending university staff pensions www.ucu.org.uk/DefendUniver...
