Branch Newsletter February 2026

Newcastle University UCU Branch Newsletter – February 2026

Indefinite Leave to Remain consultation, deadline 12 February

This affects many of our colleagues. A consultation is ongoing please consider contributing, see branch motion from Wednesday for context https://ukhomeoffice.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1yMmiaG7zqwPuM6,.

 

Solidarity with Northumbria University UCU whose begin strike action against these plans on 12 February.

  • We will organise a delegation to visit their first picket line meet outside our union office at 8.30.

 

Reorganisations

If we spent last year opposing compulsory redundancies, this academic year has seen a spate of reorganisations Innovation Observatory, NUIT, Business Development Team, and more are on the horizon. So we are calling meetings and training on how the union can respond to these.

 

  • Computing and Maths, Stats and Physics meeting. Wednesday 11 February 1-2.
  • Herschel Building GLT3

 

 

Palestine Protest  Sunday 8 February, 12 noon, Central Stationhttps://www.instagram.com/p/DUERfaACC2D/

Together Alliance and trade union campaigning against the Far Right

 

  • Saturday 14 February Love Newcastle, Hate Racism demonstration, the Monument at 12 noon.

 

 

  • Thursday 5 March workplace day of action.

 

  • Saturday 28 March London demonstration with transport from Newcastle with the branch supporting colleagues wanting to travel.

 

Your UCU in Newcastle on 27th March, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Regional UCU is putting on training on how our unions works… Apply for your place:

https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/11434/Your-union-your-voice—A-taster-course-for-activists-27-March-2026-Northern-region-In-person-Newcastle

 

Northumbria UCU picket lines

Northumbria showed up regularly to our picket lines last year. It would be nice to reciprocate.

Just an idea. It would be good if sections picked a day and got delegations from their disciplines. We’ll pick a day in History, Classics and Archaeology and contact our colleagues in those disciplines to say when we plan to visit.

Here are Northumbria’s picket details…

12, 13, 17, 18, 19 February and 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 March

There will be several picket lines across City Centre Campus, City Campus East, and Coach Lane Campus, from 8.45AM to 12:00.  At 11.00 each day we will come together outside Sutherland Building to make some noise.  Bring your umbrellas, flasks of hot beverages, and sunny smiles, too!

12 Feb – Pickets from 8.45. From 12.30 there will be a Craftivism Workshop (badge, placard, and ‘zine making, and T-shirt design etc.) at the UNITE building on John Dobson Street (opposite the City Baths).

13 Feb – Pickets from 8.45. From 12.30 there will be FREE PIZZA for all picketers at The Hotspur Pub (next to Haymarket Metro).

17 Feb – Picket all City Campus, and Coach Lane Campus

18 Feb – Everyone at City Campus – picketing starts at 10.00 and ends at 2.00, to coincide with Open Day events.

19 Feb – Everyone at Coach Lane – picketing starts at 8.45.

On 17, 18, and 19 Feb (while the Metro is off) a free minibus will run from Whitley Bay to the City Centre, via Tynemouth, North Shields, Wallsend, and Coach Lane Campus (dropping off there as well).

Pickets are great for raising awareness, sharing concerns, and having conversations with other members and anyone who takes an interest, including students who are hugely supportive.

Come along again or for the first time!  Everyone is welcome!

 

Together Alliance and trade union campaigning against the Far Right

  • Thursday 5 March workplace day of action.
  • Saturday 28 March London demonstration with transport from Newcastle with the branch supporting colleagues wanting to travel.