A very quick update. The employer has refused to rule out compulsory redundancies or address the issues of casualisation and exorbitant workload. As per the enabling motion that we passed at well attended branch meeting last week with very large majorities for action, we have now notified the employer.

We will have the opportunity to discuss this action in a meeting prior to taking the action. You will have a say in the action we take in that meeting. Details to follow.

No doubt there will be an all-staff email saying how UEB are trying to avoid compulsory redundancies and how ‘extremely disappointed’ they are to receive this notification. Not a single redundancy is necessary.

For many of our colleagues the terrible threat of redundancy was made all the more real with the targeted areas for the new round of voluntary severance. I have attended several of the section meetings since that announcement. Redundancies are a brutal process and we need care for and solidarity with those facing this threat and if we do we can win. So far nobody has been made compulsorily redundant. Let’s keep it that way. The University Executive Board needs to withdraw its threats, avert industrial action and settle this dispute.

Best wishes, solidarity to all, an injury to one is an injury to all.