THREAD ON #UCULEVY, PLEASE RT: As casualised staff, we were shocked to receive the news that @ucu will be implementing a flat £15 levy on all members in the midst of this pandemic 1/7

We must address the massive disparity in earning amongst our members. Some branches are taking this into their own hands by using their discretionary money to refund the levy to casualised members. 2/7

We need a bold fundraising campaign that is unsentimental about the need for prolonged, militant action to secure our jobs. We want to raise funds, but not from our poorest members who can’t pay. 3/7

Automatically deducting the same fee from permanent as from underpaid casualised staff is unconscionable. Rule 11 of the UCU rulebook allows NEC to decide on how levy payment is collected, which gives room for progressive options. 4/7

It is especially worrying that members are considering leaving or downgrading to free membership status to avoid the levy, which makes them ineligible to vote on industrial action. Make no mistake: the result will be to entrench the second-class status of casualised staff. 5/7

We call on @DrJoGrady and @ucu to reverse this decision, and use this moment as an opportunity to put casualised staff at the centre of campaigning and decision making. We are shouldering the work of the union without being listened to. 6/7

In this crisis, we need to focus all our energy on fighting our bosses, not our union. We need this levy swiftly reversed to restore members’ confidence and carry on the fight. 7/7 #uculevy