We are the University!
Join UCU by 20 Nov and vote in the national ballot before 26 Nov 2025 to stop staff cuts and further degrading conditions and pay at Durham and across the sector
New resource: 26 Reasons you need to vote. Summary:
- We need leverage.
- We need national as well as local leverage.
- We’re not asking the world, just that employers stop making things worse.
- Act in solidarity with other unions, branches, and colleagues—don’t leave them in the lurch.
- Make your union stronger, not weaker.
- This ballot gives us (and the other unions) options at Durham.
Why we’re in dispute nationally
Nationally, we stand with our sister trade unions in dispute for a fairer sectoral pay offer, protecting national agreements on terms and conditions, and fighting redundancies and course closures. Read more at 2025 National Ballot: key dates, links, info.
Why we’re in dispute locally
In April 2025, Durham UCU members overwhelmingly backed strike action and action short of a strike to defend jobs and protect workloads. This mandate for industrial action, several strike days, and ASOS until September 2025 ensured no compulsory redundancies were served.
But over 250 roles have been cut and the remaining staff are struggling under the increasing workload. The fight continues: we are not prepared to stand by while senior managers decimate our university.
Senior management at Durham University continue with their plans to make £20M savings in staff costs over the next two years.
Durham University University and Colleges Union do not accept that the proposed cuts are necessary or inevitable.
We believe that management has a choice about how they make savings. In choosing to cut staff, University management is threatening people’s livelihoods and our ability to deliver world-class teaching and research.
Redundancies at Durham are not inevitable.
UCU represents academic and related staff at all stages of their careers, and with all types of employment contract.
Membership is open to all staff from grades 1 to 10.
Locally, Durham UCU negotiates on behalf of its members with the University, and is represented on a number of University committees.
