⚠️ Redundancies

We have confirmation that the University of Essex management plans to erase 400 jobs from across the institution, alongside closing the Southend campus. The scale of the cuts is catastrophic, and while management have been preparing them, the branch has also been preparing the fight back. Other branches have fought similar redundancy plans and won. If we stand together, we can win, too.

The branch committee, various subcommittees, dep reps and ordinary members all have a vital role to play in this fight. We need all hands on deck.

Essential actions for members:

• Please contribute your skills. This is a fight on many fronts, and we will need an army of volunteers to fight it effectively. Fill in this form to help.
• Talk to your dep reps about any new developments that have not yet been shared. If your department or section doesn’t have a dep rep, please volunteer to become a dep rep by emailing the committee – dep reps will be crucial here.
• Make sure your details on MyUCU are up to date, to ensure that you receive your ballot papers.
• Come along to all-member meetings.

We are aware that there are a large number of questions that have gone unanswered by management, and that this is causing an enormous amount of unnecessary anxiety in our members. Rest assured that we are actively seeking clarification on many fronts and will do our best to communicate the answers to members. There is a huge volume of information being shared and digested right now, and we are all working hard to make sure nothing gets lost and members do not get overwhelmed. Please stay in contact with your dep reps throughout this period.

We are in the process of assembling some FAQs and advice for members. Here is what we have so far:

• FAQs for USS members over 55 who are considering proposing a reduction in their contractual hours and taking flexible retirement.
• If you are in need of a redundancy support volunteer or “buddy”, please fill in this form:
  https://essex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xg15OI6O9QOFbU
  If you would like to volunteer to be a “buddy” or to contribute in some other way, please fill in this form:
  https://essex.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0eqZISa371v1Gke

(last updated 16th December 2025)

---

⚠️ Academic Framework

We believe the plans for a new ‘Academic Framework’ pose a threat to our working conditions. Read:

• our summary and timeline of the Academic Framework dispute, and
• our plan to win.

 

---

Essex UCU, a branch of University and College Union, is formally recognised by the University of Essex management to represent all staff employed within the university at grade 7 and above (academics, academic-related, professional services staff and ALs/GLAs). We are a vibrant, active branch here at University of Essex, with many hundreds of members.

UCU is the largest trade union and professional association for academics, lecturers, trainers, researchers and academic-related staff working in further and higher education throughout the UK. Click here to learn more!

---

UCU marking and assessment boycott 2023

Read our information on the local hardship fund.

---

UCU Rising strike action 2022-23

Read our:

• frequently asked questions for students and non-striking staff,
• frequently asked questions for striking staff,
• information on the local and national hardship funds.

 

---

Read here for UCU’s latest advice re working during this coronavirus pandemic.