CUCU Hardship Fund

DONATE TO THE CAMBRIDGE UCU HARDSHIP FUND

The current USS & Pay disputes are likely to have a huge impact on our members.  If you could donate to our local Hardship Fund it would be very much appreciated and will support our precariously employed members and those in financial hardship. 

Donate now:

  • Online, using these bank account details:
    • Name :  UCU Cambridge Hardship Fund 
    • Number :  20393807
    • Sort Code: 60-83-01
  • By cheque, made out to: Cambridge UCU Hardship Fund.
  • In cash – contact admin@ucu.cam.uk to arrange this.

Cambridge UCU Hardship Fund – General Information

UCU members risk losing their pay for taking industrial action over the USS and Pay and Equality disputes.

The University has told employees that deductions in pay will be made as soon as practicable, from the first salary or stipend installment following receipt of notification of participation. You may wish to consider this when deciding about when to notify the University of your participation in industrial action. You have no obligation to notify the University of your participation until you are asked.

For more information on notifying the university of your participation in the current Marking and Assessment Boycott, please see our FAQ doc.

Whilst the UCU is not able to give assistance to all members taking strike action, the union offers the following financial support for members at risk of serious hardship. Union members must ensure they pay subscriptions at the correct rate to be eligible.

UCU’s National Fighting Fund

This provides for strike pay available from the national UCU office. Members can apply online for funding from the National Fighting Fund, subject to certain criteria and evidence of financial loss. Strike pay is available from the 2nd day (per mandate) for each day of industrial action called by UCU in which members have participated and resulted in docked pay. Payments are made as follows:

  • those of you earning below £30,000 will be able to claim up to £75 per day from the second day onwards (subject to a cap of 11 days)
  • those of you earning £30,000 or more will be able to claim up to £50 from the second day onwards (subject to a cap of 11 days);

For questions regarding the national UCU Fighting Fund, please contact UCU Head office via email at fightingfund@ucu.org.uk. To apply, click National Fighting Fund.

Local Hardship Fund

The branch has its own funds to help those of our local members most in need. Members can apply to the local fund after they’ve first applied to the national fund (with exception of ASOS/MAB, see below). 

Locally we are applying the same qualification, standard rates and rules as national (see above). Applications will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and the amounts awarded may vary according to members’ circumstances. When submitted to the hardship panel, applications are anonymous, and decisions are made by the panel without any knowledge of the claimant.

Marking and Assessment Boycott Information

For MAB deductions: the national fighting fund only applies for 100% deductions, so in this case you do not need to apply to the national fund before applying to the local fund.  Hardship claims for ASOS/MAB will be made at 50%.

For further information about the local hardship fund, eligibility criteria etc, please refer to the Guidance for Members. If you believe you are entitled and qualify for hardship fund, please complete the application form.

Claims cannot be made until after the first pay date following action.

Please return your application form and supporting documents by email to hardshipfund@ucu.cam.ac.uk.

For questions about the Local Hardship Fund, please see the Guidance for Members and if you still have a query, please email hardshipfund@ucu.cam.ac.uk.