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News Archives

Strikes 2020: Day 8… Another riotous and righteous day on the Leicester university pickets

Published: 4th March, 2020

Important Notices about Thursday/tomorrow: The theme is mental health. Come in pyjamas, or in/as something that supports your mental health Meet at the Victoria Park Picket tomorrow – at 10am – to be part of planning for the precarity meeting with the VC If you’d like your voice heard in the precarity meeting with the…

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Strikes 2020: Day 7… Picketers fit for purpose

Published: 3rd March, 2020

“Let’s get physical” was the theme on the seventh day of the strike at Leicester, or “nous hugieis en somati hugiei” as the ancient Greeks would say (meaning “healthy mind in healthy body”). (Unlike God, we did not rest.) The Union leadership, both at local and national level became an example of that, with UCU’s…

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Why are my lecturers on strike?

Published: 3rd March, 2020

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Strikes 2020: Day 6… A beautiful day for a picket

Published: 2nd March, 2020

As we entered the third week of strike action, the much rained upon and windswept members of Leicester UCU were rewarded for their tenacity with some lovely early spring weather. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the daffodils across Victoria Park seemed to be nodding in time to rhythm of our drums….

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Why I’m on strike but you haven’t seen me on the picket lines…

Published: 28th February, 2020

A member of professional services staff – and of Leicester UCU – explains why enough is enough. For several days over the past week or so colleagues have been out in the grimmest of weather, showing their disgust at the way the University of Leicester treats its staff. I, on the other hand have been…

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Go with the flow…

Published: 28th February, 2020

Print it out, put it on your office door! (Thanks to folk at Manchester UCU: Michael Sanders and Placard Stick Tips.)

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‘Ask not what your union can do for you…’

Published: 27th February, 2020

David and Gabby, two departmental reps, celebrate both Leicester UCU’s caseworkers and everyone who is supporting past and present UCU strikes. Thank you to everyone participating in the current strike – and to those who’ve struck before.  The strength of the action depends on the solidarity of members, as we come together to advocate on…

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Strikes 2020: Day 5… giving up?

Published: 26th February, 2020

This morning’s headline: the University of Leicester students’ union voted last night ‘with an overwhelming majority’ to support our strikes. We are, of course, very grateful for their solidarity – we hope we will soon have the chance to reciprocate. As trailed in yesterday’s report, we decided to mark the first day of Lent –…

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Strikes 2020: Day 4… Fat Tuesday

Published: 25th February, 2020

Today was Shrove Tuesday. Having already practised our pancake-making skills during the last strike, one of our members suggested we picketed Mardi Gras [Fat Tuesday] style. Masks, beads and feathers were aplenty, we danced and sang, and one member turned up in beach gear – indeed, he seemed to bring the sunshine with him, which…

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Strikes 2020: Day 3… staying dry

Published: 24th February, 2020

The current pattern of weather continued today. While we’re lucky enough not to be flooded in central Leicester, the constant rain and wind on this morning’s pickets made it challenging to keep our placards and ourselves dry. At least our loudspeaker is waterproof! Our theme for the day (before seeing the weather forecast) was #petsonpicketlines and…

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