Post from email sent to branch members 13 June 2023 by branch president Chloe Wallace

We are now in final preparations for our strike action starting on Thursday. We will be picketing as usual and joining Unison when they have strike dates. The weather is forecast warm, which feels deeply unnatural- so it’s sunscreen, water and hats/parasols, rather than three pairs of socks and handwarmers! We will be rallying at 11:30 at the end of every picket but will keep it short whilst it’s hot! Please sign up to picket, so we know who is coming over the next few days. You will note we are seeking sign-ups for 17th June (as well as 15th and 16th) – Saturday – as it is an open day (as is 16th June)

Following our email yesterday, we can confirm that senior management has complied with our request to schedule an extraordinary meeting of our joint negotiating forum, the joint committee of the university and UCU, to discuss pay deductions for the boycott – a 30-minute meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday 20th. We need to do everything between now and then to pressure them to come to that short meeting with a mandate to change their position on pay deductions, so please come out strong and hold the line. We have a general meeting scheduled on Thursday at 3pm (link in email to members Monday 12 June) which will give you the chance to discuss what you would like to see senior management agree to.
We anticipate calling a further meeting next Wednesday (21st June) to report back to you. Please do plan to attend both meetings if you can- your voice matters and decisions are taken by members.