Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #USSStrike
Most recents (24)
Suppose you run a pension scheme, and conducted a valuation in the middle of a pandemic which showed the need for savage cuts. How do you hide the fact that since then the scheme has strengthened dramatically? Here's how. #USSmess #USSstrike 1/ (Graph courtesy of @USSpensions) 
1. Stop publishing data
@USSpensions were publishing monthly data, but stopped with their Aug 21 figures. Why? They say they were working on a new system.
We forced them to publish updates this week they planned on keeping to themselves until June. 2/ uss.co.uk/about-us/valua…
@USSpensions were publishing monthly data, but stopped with their Aug 21 figures. Why? They say they were working on a new system.
We forced them to publish updates this week they planned on keeping to themselves until June. 2/ uss.co.uk/about-us/valua…
2. Explain away improvements with broad-brush arguments
"Assets have increased, but so have liabilities".
"Deficits are down, but future service costs are up".
"Higher asset prices mean lower expected returns".
Enough! Just show us the numbers! 3/ (Below @Barker4Kate in THE)
"Assets have increased, but so have liabilities".
"Deficits are down, but future service costs are up".
"Higher asset prices mean lower expected returns".
Enough! Just show us the numbers! 3/ (Below @Barker4Kate in THE)
Here's the @FT's @bethanstaton reporting a snap summary by @USSemployers of their constultation, saying responses indicate a "clear rejection of the @UCU proposals". It appears @UniversitiesUK's popaganda campaign to kill an attempt at a resolution succeeded. Great job! #USSmess
@FT @bethanstaton @USSEmployers @ucu @UniversitiesUK The #USS dispute is now well and truly on fire, as eyes turn towards the formal JNC meeting(s) next week. Higher Education disputes also ramp up, with more universities brought into the action over the fundmantal Four Fights dispute.
As for the behaviour of @AlistairJarvis's @UniversitiesUK, and their marshalling of opinion against the @UCU proposals, have they made employers aware of the precariousness of their position at the JNC? Smooth passage for the cuts should not be taken for granted. #USSmess
@KeeleUCU runners’ portraits
Vice-Chancellir's Open Forum kicking off @unibirmingham. First half on #Brexit, second on HE sector and research environment. Will #FairPayinHE come up? 🤔 #UoBVCForum #WeAreTheUniversity
Will university governance and executive pay discussed, given #DMUVC and @officestudents figures? #UoBVCForum
VC just been asked about @birminghamdubai and staff and student safety after #MatthewHedges jailing. Claims Uni would not have gone ahead with project if could not ensure safety of staff and students 🤔 #UoBVCForum
🚨 #USSstrike update 🚨
After general confusion, these motions from the NDC were heard, debated & carried yesterday, during a special meeting of @ucu higher education conference in Manchester. Outline of key info & events in a mini thread to follow 👇👇🏼👇🏾👇🏿
After general confusion, these motions from the NDC were heard, debated & carried yesterday, during a special meeting of @ucu higher education conference in Manchester. Outline of key info & events in a mini thread to follow 👇👇🏼👇🏾👇🏿
Eleven UCU branches signed to get the 2 motions onto the agenda as emergency motions, & delegates voted to accept the report of CBC (congress business committee) who recommended their inclusion. We applaud this grassroots reaction to them being originally left off the agenda ✊🏻
It appears the NDC motions were left off the agenda because HEC did not vote on the 2 motions, but rather put them forward for inclusion. This meant that their status was unofficial & CBC had no choice other than to reject them, as on a technical level they did not exist.
UCU members have already demonstrated significant compromise. The ballot that ended strike action was a massive act of compromise. That compromise produced the JEP, & the JEP has vindicated & endorsed the position of UCU members. It has demonstrated the necessity of #USSstrike
The #USSstrike resulted in many of us losing 14 days pay. It required emotional support from loved ones. In some cases it diminished us in the eyes of some colleagues, and in other cases it resulted in punitive actions or threats from our employers.
If compromises are to be made, it is fair to demand they come from @UniversitiesUK & our employers. The JEP makes clear that with minor tweaks USS is sound. As such we need to understand the #USSstrike as employer initiated industrial action. We were left with no choice.
What does it mean when VCs call themselves CEOs or ‘bosses’ of universities?
Now thinking critically about the Leadership Foundation in Higher Education - established by UUK - which embeds certain subjectivities in types, styles, personalities, approaches of HE leadership. lfhe.ac.uk
The role of (inappropriate) sports analogies and weird sexual or gendered language in VC culture - universities trying to push for the ‘champions league’, universities who need to ‘mate’ with similar institutions (David Willetts!)
For anyone confused about how #ourUCU came out of #UCU2018, some quick background information: Two motions (10 & 11, below), which were critical of the General Secretary's part in the #USSstrike, were passed by branches. They were submitted to Congress & ruled onto the agenda. 1/
At #UCU2018 delegates from the two branches @KCL_UCU & @ExeterUCU were pressured to withdraw these motions. See their accounts here: kcl.ac.uk/unions/ucu/KCL… and exeterucu.wordpress.com/2018/05/30/exe… 2/
This was due to pressure from the local @unitetheunion branch, which represents @UCU staff, including Sally Hunt. The General Secretary is the most senior elected representative in UCU, but they argued that because she is an employee, #UCU2018 could not discuss motions 10 & 11 /3
The arguments that @UniversitiesUK are making to justify imposing a NEW REAL TERMS PAY CUT on us are ABSURD - as I argue in the thread below. Their arguments are given here: ucea.ac.uk/en/news/index.… 1/12 #USSStrike
FIRST ARGUMENT: "HE institutions also feel that the merits of the benefits and working conditions they provide to staff are often overlooked, knowing that they do provide an excellent reward package". RESPONSE: Here they're justifying real pay cuts on the ... 2/12 #USSStrike
... basis of (i) The good pension scheme that they're in the process of ABOLISHING! (ii) The excellent working conditions they provide. What excellent working conditions? Those in which we regularly feel compelled to work 60 hours per week just to stand still?! 3/12 #USSStrike
1. Here's a 12-tweet thread on today's UUK statement, made shortly after the UCU ballot results were announced, first via Josephine Cumbo and then on their website. universitiesuk.ac.uk/news/Pages/bal…
2. In it I compare the new statement with UUK's original offer of 23 March, which is also on their website. universitiesuk.ac.uk/news/Pages/Joi…
3. There are two sentences in the new statement which interpret the original proposal in a certain direction. The first says "Reviewing the methodology and assumptions in the current valuation will build confidence, trust and increase transparency in the valuation process."
"The great strike 2018" session at #AAG2018 IS OPEN! When I can I'll tweet here. Follow the hashtag #NotAllGeographers
speaking about what happened on social media during #USSstrikes via 3 slices. Slice one: EARLY
Early phase involved repugnance with neoliberal VC's & development of #notallgeographers hashtag. Complex psychosocial movement positioning certain VCs as neoliberal beast.
So @colette147 since you just sent yet another email to members to which I cannot respond, let me do so here: many of us sent you a letter asking you why you posted misleading information when opening the ballot. You have yet to respond #USSstrike 1/
Our question was: why did you collapse 'revise and resubmit' and 'no detriment' and offered no plan B is the vote is 'no'. Instead of responding, you outline yet again why you recommend 'yes'. This is the third time you have done so @colette147 #USSstrike 2/
This time you start your email with a link 'click here to vote'. Why does the link not go to the ballot @colette147? Why does it go to your previous email also recommending 'yes'? Is this your version of democratic procedures? And how you inform your members? #USSstrike 3/
It is worth considering the likely approach of @TPRgovuk in our dispute in the context of the brand new (19 March 2018) government white paper 'Protecting Defined Benefit Pensions' 1/13 gov.uk/government/pub…
This white paper, which @TPRgovuk has welcomed (here: thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/press/tpr-welc…), seems highly favourable to us. 2/13
For one thing, in it, the government commits to strengthening the regulatory framework and @TPRgovuk's powers by introducing punitive fines for those who deliberately put pensions schemes at risk and criminal sanctions for those "found to have committed wilful or grossly ... 3/13
5th April press release from @TPRgovuk makes for fascinating reading: thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/press/trustees… "Trustees and sponsoring employers of defined benefit pension schemes must do more to protect member benefits, The Pensions Regulator has warned." 1/2 #USSStrike
"In its annual funding statement (AFS), published today, TPR says strong employers should consider contributing more money to reduce scheme deficits over a shorter period of time" 2/2 #USSStrike
Indeed, much of what @TPRgovuk says (e.g. here: thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/press/tpr-welc…) suggests they will take a dim view of reckless destruction of DB pensions. And it is clear that this is precisely what @universitiesuk is up to. #USSStrike
RE: skepticism about rejecting ballot on the basis that goal of further #USSstrike action is unclear or unreasonable. Yes we have obtained a process. But that process could be vastly improved with just 2 small tweaks that cost UUK nothing if they are operating in good faith... 1/
1) clarify timescale. Be explicit about what happens in April 2019 if JEP fail to reach a conclusion. @MikeOtsuka has given us his best guess but UUK can confirm. Committing to process as outlined opens possibility of deadlock. We must know what happens if this is the case...2/
2) Or, if as @JeanFind suggests there is scope to influence current valuation, this should be explicit in the text, confirmed by both UUK & UCU... 3/
In the spirit of #reviseandresubmit I have updated my earlier flowchart on our options in the @ucu ballot to try to reflect some of the discussions that followed the previous version. As before this is my personal interpretation of info collected by others and is not necessarily
accurate or complete. It has become more complicated than the previous version. Remember, it is important that we each arm ourselves with a range of evidence and opinions and not rely on any single source or apparent Twitter sage (especially me - I'm no expert here). #USSstrike
For transparency, I am currently leaning strongly towards #RejectUUKdeal as it stands, so while I have tried to be neutral I cannot guarantee that I have been - i'm only human after all. Although Twitter tests me on that from time to time. @cardiffucu @ucu @UCL_UCU @USSbriefs
HEC: 10 mins to read paper containing recommendations given to us after Branch Delegates Meeting + 1 hour discussion. 6 Motions submitted by members of HEC, including mine on #ReviseandResubmit. Paper passed + Chair judged 5 motions to fall+1 (setting valuation end date) remitted
I do not think the paper that was put forward (which recommended a consultation with members) needed to be incompatible with all 5 motions that fell, especially the one I argued for on #ReviseandResubmit b/c I believe there was time to include R+R in the process. Chair disagreed.
Here's the #ReviseandResubmit motion I proposed to HEC. I moved it arguing it seemed clear from observing Branch Delegates mtg that a *huge* no of members were asking for some form of R+R & not to discuss would have been a dereliction of our duty to represent members.
Important: on amending the current "offer" from UUK. A number of people have asked whether it is possible to argue for an amendment/counter offer at this stage. Here we explain, given confirmed information about the status of this offer, why this is possible & necessary...
First: the "offer" does *not* have the status of an agreed or negotiated offer between UUK and our negotiating team. Has now been confirmed by an elected negotiator, that a) the text has *not* undergone any discussion/negotiation by the negotiators, b) it arrived Fri. 2.30pm...
as part of a conference call and was released to members just after 4pm - a space of 2 hours-ish, with no modification or assessment by the negotiators, c) UCU negotiators *were told that they could not make any changes to the text* as it was a UUK document, d) the negotiators...
Don't usually like massive threads, but want to expand on this condensed reaction Friday's offer/agreement on #USS re
#USSstrike #ucustrike #Strikefor USS #NoCapitulation #NoDetriment 1/9
#USSstrike #ucustrike #Strikefor USS #NoCapitulation #NoDetriment 1/9
While I agree with all the #NoDetriment statements about being naive to trust UUK/'indepdendent' panel, & related demands/amendements suggested for the statement, believing that a more specific clause would be the end of the struggle is equally naive. 2/9
We could strike until we got everything we wanted writ down,but at some point we'll go back to work (!)&then inevitably pension manager crooks will continue attempts to subvert the agreement, inc using requirements of the pensions regulator to continually revisit arrangements 3/9
Just wondering why @UniversitiesUK & #uss can’t just back down now on DC? Why is a new panel & more delay & stress for all of us a victory? Are we really getting excited that they have said the panel would recognise our concerns re DB? #nocapitulation #UCUStrike #ussstrike
2/ is this what we’re losing 14 days pay over? Another panel & no guarantees? After we basically showed up the problems w de-risking, huge potential equalities issues (which they can’t realistically address before 2019 bc they appear to be starting from zero on that score ...
3/ ... and they know we’re onto them re financialisation of pensions, & we all now are talking about the DB/DC fight, which has immense implications for other occupational pensions ...
Some Unis are saying they can do without Externals. Lets just briefly examine this. 1. The QAA is an independent, not for profit organisation, who "check that students working towards a UK qualification get the higher education they are entitled to expect." #ussstrike
2. The QAA have developed the Quality Code, which establishes academic standards, and helps HE providers design their provision.
There are 4 key purposes of the Quality Code, two of which are relevant to the this External Examiner question: "to safeguard the academic standards of UK higher education" and "to assure the quality of the learning opportunities that UK higher education offers to students"
What would happen if #UUK was disbanded (or University leaders all withdrew their membership of it) - other than huge cost savings for universities. Just think how many students' tuition fees it takes to pay their staff's salaries. *ponders* #USSstrike #nocapitulation #UCU
UUK income from membership 2017; £7.4 million (p27 of annual report)
UUK Salary costs in financial year 2017: £5.7 million (p30), inc 140-150k for one employee, presumably chief exec. Full report: universitiesuk.ac.uk/about/Document…
#USSstrike #nocapitulation @ucu #ucu @VianBakir1
UUK Salary costs in financial year 2017: £5.7 million (p30), inc 140-150k for one employee, presumably chief exec. Full report: universitiesuk.ac.uk/about/Document…
#USSstrike #nocapitulation @ucu #ucu @VianBakir1
UUK has ~100 members, so a rough average is £74,000 per member university. Which is 8.2 student years per university (assuming 9k/yr/student). I can think of better ways of spending that money #USSstrike #nocapitulation @ucu #ucu @VianBakir1
Alistair Jarvis of @UniversitiesUK embarrassing himself AGAIN. @MikeOtsuka has a detailed take-down of one key point: employers dont' need to pay more; they just need to accept slightly higher risk, which most probably do. But there's more...
"Employers are trying to deal with a tough set of financial circumstances". Uhuh, uhuh. Tell me more.
I guess these "tough... financial circumstances" must also be leading to a restraint in executive pay? Oh.
Some random thoughts on strategy re #USSstrike We've all been blown away by the experience of solidarity and common purpose and analysis especially here on Twitter. But let's remember GE2015 1/n m.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/21/soc…
Twitter is a peculiar echo chamber. It feels like a victory - and in one sense it is - to have got to week 4 with students inside, with analysis underway, with funds raised for lawyers @ForPension , critique from all sides, letters from principals of Cambridge colleges 2/n
But we know that most VCs, Deans, politicians, policymakers, colleagues who are not striking and probably most students and almost ALL of the press and public are *NOT* here reading the collective strike hive mind... 3/n
