The guild picket line with "Our response to the VC's comments" overlaid
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Our response to the VC’s comments on our strike

The VC’s view of our dispute In August and September HR maintained that “negotiations were over” and our Vice Chancellor, Adam Tickell, was doing his best to pretend the dispute wasn’t happening at all.  Professor Tickell has since broken a long silence on our action, first during a visit to our pickets last Tuesday and…

on strike bab graphic image
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Two more strike days announced at University of Birmingham

We call on all staff to strike on 13 and 14 November In the absence of any improved offer from University management, members have again voted unanimously for strike action, which will take place on the 13 and 14 November.  Key points for all University staff: Everyone’s support is valued: even if you felt you had…

Poster with the phrase in caps "TOGETHER WE WILL PROVE WE ARE WORTH MORE" With a monochrome cutout photo of UoB strikers beneath, followed by the UNISON logo and a QR code
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Picket line details for our strike action this week

We are asking all support staff to join us in striking this week. Participating will help win a better deal for you and your colleagues! To help us win this dispute we’d love it if you could join us on our picket lines. On Thursday and Friday this week we will be following a similar…

A rally at the station
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Strike action confirmed: Why we are striking on 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 September

Updated 26 September to take account of this update from Birmingham UCU. At meetings on Thursday 14 September, members overwhelmingly backed the committee’s plan for strike action in the first week of term. This means that we are calling on all support staff to join us in taking strike action on: Thursday 21 and Friday 22 September…

Joint statement with Birmingham UCU on RAAC at University of Birmingham
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Joint statement with Birmingham UCU on RAAC at University of Birmingham

You can also view this statement on Birmingham UCU’s website. We are pleased the University has now updated staff and students on its review of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete on campus. According to the University, of the 200+ buildings across campus, part of one building, the roof extension of the Arts building, may contain some RAAC….

A rally at the station
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Branch committee call for further strike action – ball is in University’s court

Strike action announced on 21 and 22 September Following our very successful strike day on the 17 August, the committee is now calling for more strike action on the 21 and 22 September. This will be during welcome week, when new and returning students are arriving at the University for the new academic year.  The…

Solidarity to Birmingham City Council members
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Solidarity to Birmingham City Council members

Birmingham city council has recently declared effective “bankruptcy” with most news articles tracing the issues back to massive equal pay liabilities at the council. This does not tell the whole story though, and could worryingly give the impression that workers are to blame for the sorry state of council finances. Following repeated court judgements including…

Photograph of picket line in front of the Guild with people wearing purple bibs, carrying placards and two dogs.
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How it felt to be at the picket lines, from our members.

“A good day where we saw our colleagues from different buildings and showed our collective resolve.” The day wasn’t as warm as expected, the sun only really came out as we gathered for the rally- though compared to Friday the gods were clearly on our side. I picketed at North Gate as I had no…