Leaving UCU - what other unions are good?

[EasterIsland]

I'm thinking I need to leave UCU, for several reasons (mainly, the unprofessional vitriol directed at GC feminists by current leadership; the current ill-advised and teenagery policy of the strikes).

Can I get others' opinions on other unions that an academic, working in a UK university, might usefully join?

Or whether it is OK to stay in the UCU, but not strike?

I'm really uncomfortable about crossing a picket-line in my small department, which has quite a separate section of the campus - so my entry would be noticed by colleagues. And it could cause rifts with colleagues (although temporary I would hope).

Ugh, feeling so conflicted.

Would Prospect also be problematic if you are GC?

This UCU Congress was a PR disaster- not only the Ukraine motion (absolutely disgraceful and nothing to do with UCU business) , but the cult like chanting of ' Trans rights are human rights'. I'm out and so are a lot of other members if Twitter is anything to go by. I'm joining Affinity.

I had a friend who accused his manager of bullying in. UCU representatives were useless - difficult to get any contact and then did nothing to help. He ended up signing an NDA and leaving with a large payout, which seems to be standard procedure at the uni I work at (I know another person who got the same after accusing a manager of bullying).

I couldn’t agree more but has there been much coverage in the mainstream media? Saying that Ukraine shouldn’t receive foreign help to defend itself against Russia is surely bad pr.

I would be very interested to know how the reps at my local branch voted. Presumably there’s no way to find out though.

I have asked my reps and am still waiting for an answer.