A lot of new members are joining UCU and DU’s other unions currently, recognising that collective action and representation is their best hope to resist the cuts that the employer is implementing and ensure protections for surviving staff.

A union is its members, and its only strength is members acting together in solidarity. This begins with talking to colleagues about joining a union, and ensuring they understand the importance of being active members. (Any Durham University staff member can join any of the four unions jointly recognised to represent all Durham University staff. We don’t recruit from other unions, but we can all recruit any non-member: all unions want want everyone to be in a union.)

Below are some links to fliers you can use when talking to members about joining UCU.

All Durham-specific fliers have been developed by members volunteering their time and skills. If you are able to help with flier writing, design, or distribution, please contact president@durhamucu.org.uk.

Fliers specific to 2025 national campaign

  • An article about the HE unions’ ballots featuring a photo of Unite and UCU reps at Durham: maybe you could print this out or forward it to people?
  • Local fliers (New Autumn 2025):
    • Why are you voting YES? – We are the University 2025 – DUCU
    • What we’re fighting for (Four pages outlining core demands and their importance)
    • We Are the University: what we need (Four pages)
    • One page with key dates only
    • All are at these links:
  • National fliers

Fliers specific to 2025 local dispute

  • Durham Cuts 250+ Roles – Local and National Recruitment (New Autumn 2025)
    • PDF (suggested size: A5)
  • Mythbusters! (Summer 2025)
  • Is There Still a Risk of Redundancies at Durham? (Summer 2025)
    • PNG
    • PDF
    • (suggested sizes: A4, A5)
  • Redundancies at Durham Are a Choice, Not a Necessity
  • Durham UCU PSS-focused flier (in context of 2025 cuts)
  • Open day fliers (3 pages for different versions)

General Durham UCU fliers

General UCU fliers

Older fliers (for reference)

Flier with the following text in sections: "REDUNDANCIES AT DURHAM ARE A CHOICE NOT A NECESSITY JOIN UCU, PROTECT JOBS, PROTECT WORKLOADS Senior management are choosing to cut £20M in staff costs by 2026. That could mean more than 200 jobs by August, with more next year. But staff cuts are not inevitable. They are a decision. Management have options, but instead of challenging wasteful spending elsewhere, they are targeting the staff who keep our university running. If this year’s cuts go ahead, we expect everyone’s workloads will soar, staff morale will collapse, and even more job losses will follow. Don’t accept their choices. Make yours. Join the union. Stand up for your job, your colleagues, and the future of OUR UNIVERSITY. Durham UCU is balloting for industrial action! Any member of staff can join UCU, no matter your job type or where you work. Scan the QR code!" Flier also has UCU logo and a QR code which links to https://durhamucu.org.uk/join