Marking & Assessment Boycott

[aridapricot]

So how do you think this will pan out this time? Are you taking part? How do you think things will go in your university/department?
My uni is docking 30% pay. Also in my department (where the spirit tends to be "yes we'll do whatever UCU asks us to do but we'll also go out of our way to cause any inconvenience to students") people are already talking about mitigations... 🙄I am not a UCU member and won't be taking part but I also fear that at some point I will be asked to cover colleague's marking or (even worse) redistribute it (given that I'm HoD).

This thread has turned from ‘slightly moany’ (no bad thing!) to ‘highly entertaining’ … almost feel sorry for girlboss Grady …

I just watched the UCU ballot launch clip on twitter.

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised (although actually I am shocked) by the use of anti-Semitic tropes in the video.

This is a new low for UCU.

Wow @ghislaine do you have a link?

It’s here: https://twitter.com/ucu/status/1704438814691717461/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1704438814691717461&currentTweetUser=ucu&mode=profile

You’d think after the Richard Sharp Gaurdian cartoon they’d think twice about depicting showers of bills followed by giant squids with their tentacles wrapped around universities. There’s a discussion of the squid/money trope here: https://amp.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/may/01/richard-sharp-guardian-martin-rowson-cartoon-antisemitism

This tweet says it doesn’t exist? Is the link broken or was the tweet deleted?

The link works for me but you can also find it on the UCU page on Twitter, it’s the pinned tweet.

@ghislaine 😮Goodness me. As you said, not really that surprising.

Apparently Newcastle UCU will not take part in the strike next week because someone at UCU HQ messed up... https://twitter.com/CRGMurray/status/1705282176856559687

Apparently our branch have informed the uni they’re opting out and there will be no striking. No idea how my union colleagues who went on strike last time feel.

I wonder how long Jo Grady has... and what the future for UCU is. I fear it just being taken over by UCU left. I still toy with leaving....

... and I bet half of Newcastle UCU might still strike on Monday not having checked email over weekend (which would be fair enough)... what a mess....

My uni branch had also voted not to strike.

Strikes are still on at my place.

Still on at my place too. Rhetoric has ramped up so much that only the most disaffected go to union meetings. So they're pleased with the message they're sending, being an outlier locally.

University missed some obvious chances to build bridges, or is having its Thatcherite moment. Hard to tell. Communication has been appalling.

It is difficult not to stick at the "plague on both their houses" stage.

My branch voted not to strike and that’s at a very unionised institution. Wonder if there is a difference between those branches deciding via e-ballot and those voting in person at union meetings.

Same

Off at mine. Much relief.

Strike's on at my place, but only for one day.

One day? What is the point of that?

Yes same here. One day only. I suppose the purpose is "to send a strong signal that the fight is not over" or something like that.

I have no idea.... Answers on a postcard.

Strikes still on here but vote was marginal. As a PP said only the really unhappy ones and the ones who think they are in the miners strike go to meetings or vote

At least it’s over for another six weeks at least. The dissenting voices against Jo Grady seem to be getting louder. There was even an article on Grady/UCU factions in The Times. I’m

Mine too - in an electronic ballot and in consultation with our members. Must admit I was really surprised. They've always voted yes in the disaggregated ballots and have consistently and loyally supported the action. But the dissent against National is very strong.

I hear pensions are being restored and back dated