Cambridge UCU naturally regrets the decision made by Trinity College Council to leave USS – but not because it will make a significant difference the strength to the employer covenant or undermine USS’s financial position. As Trinity acknowledge, and has been…
Statement on Athena Swan Silver Award
The University of Cambridge have just announced the retention of their Silver Athena SWAN award. CUCU congratulates the staff whose hard work went into this submission and recognises that participation has prompted the University to commit to a range of gender equality initiatives. However, Athena SWAN is no silver bullet in resolving gender inequalities. In fact, the targets and action plans set out in Cambridge’s recent Athena SWAN submission fall disappointingly short of what one would expect from a leading university that prides itself on innovation and excellence.
USS Update
It is almost exactly a year since Universities UK, in response to sustained industrial action by UCU members in defence of their pension benefits, proposed the establishment of a Joint Expert Panel (JEP) on the USS valuation. Much has happened…
CUCU statement on Christchurch attacks
We offer our heartfelt support and solidarity to the families and communities devastated by the mass murder of worshippers at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. We stand alongside our Muslim sisters and brothers against Islamophobia, in our community in Cambridge…
2019 Congress motion on Financial and Institutional Support for Migrant Staff
2019 Congress Motion on Financial and Institutional Support for Migrant Staff Congress notes: Migrants are an integral part of the UK university staff body, which is 30% non-UK. Regular above-inflation increases in Visa fees and related costs act as…
Students and Staff Standing United – Pay and Equality Ballot
The ballot closes Friday 22nd February, post off your ballot papers by Wednesday 20th to be sure that they arrive on time.
Cambridge University UCU’s Anti-Casualisation Claim: A Summary of the Current Situation
BACKGROUND ‘Casualisation’ is the process through which employers whittle away the protections, rights, and security of their employees. It is a very widespread phenomenon and comes in many forms such as hourly-paid work, zero-hours contracts, temporary workers contracts – always…
Pay and Equality Ballot – all about everyone’s pay
UCU are balloting members over pay and equality. Staff have received below inflation pay offers year after year since 2009 and this year is no exception. Its time for the sector to catch up with the improvements in pay that…
Casualisation open meeting slides
Missed our casualisation open meeting? Take a look at the slides to know more about our formal claim, submitted at the end of last term, and the findings of our report.
Pay & Equality Ballot – Gender Equality in HE
UCU are balloting members over pay and equality. The gender pay gap at the University of Cambridge stands at 19.6% and little is being done to address this. Disparities are exacerbated by bonuses used to get round the stagnant pay…