Nat Arias

black PhD Researcher @SussexDev | Researcher in critical migration & asylum, coloniality of gender, abolitionism and trans/queer migrant activism | They/Their

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

commitments to reverse USS cuts and vocal support from Sasha Roseneil on an inflation matching pay offer from UCEA. Full Mcgettigan report: https://t.co/Obtv1zpuWe 11/11

#USSmess #strikesUK

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Sussex could readily afford a pay increase, and even a ‘Brighton weighting’. For example a 10% increase in staff costs would only take staff spend as a percentage of income to 53%, well within sector norms. 7/11

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Sussex income increased by 9% to £346m while staff costs increased by a much lower 2.4% to £168m.

Sussex spent less than 50% of its income on staff. Sector data is only available up to 2020/21, but compared to these figures Sussex relative staff costs are low for the sector 4/11

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Sussex UCU has pulled some key findings from @amcgettigan Andrew McGettigan, an expert in university finances, using the Sussex Financial Statements 2021/22. You can read the full report, available now, on our union blog - see below.
#ucuRISING
1/11

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Sussex has also failed to improve Doctoral Tutors’ (DTs') pay and conditions. DT are among the most precarious staff group. Their contracts are low fraction, short-term, hourly paid Grade 6 and have suffered a dramatic erosion of this FTE pay relative to RPI 9/11

[UCU Postgrads @UCUPostgrads]

Including PGRs, while we are still classed as students?

We know why international PGRs don't get the support they need. We know what Government thinks of migrants. It's exactly why we need to fight for a better deal for ALL PGRs at our universities and nationally.

[UnisResistBorders #WearAMask #BordersKillKnowledge @UnisNotBorders]

Along with @USSU, @sussexucu has been working with @UnisNotBorders on the #GlobalExploiters campaign around how the #HostileEnvironment is exacerbating & creating precarity for migrant student housing.

Linking border controls to the workplace conditions is vital!

[Nat Arias @nat_arias]

✌️🏽Migrant PGRs are essential actors in elevating teaching, research and community-building in UK HE @UnisNotBorders , @UCUPostgrads #BordersKillKnowledge #ucuRISING #ucustrikes #PGRsDeserveDignity

[UnisResistBorders #WearAMask #BordersKillKnowledge @UnisNotBorders]

Despite windy weather, @sussexucu members were on the pickets earlier today sharing @UnisNotBorders strike solidarity material for migrant students.

You can access those materials here: https://t.co/7NqscnfuGR

#BordersKillKnowledge #ucuRISING #ucustrikes

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Thank you so much for your support @CarolineLucas. We appreciate your support and encourage you to write to our vice-chancellor, Sasha Roseneil, and ask her to support staff demands for fair pay and restoration of pension with @UniversitiesUK. University staff deserve better.

[Nat Arias @nat_arias]

Pipeline into job precarity in UK HE starts well before lecturing. Pitiful wages, few formal contracts, and growing class sizes juggled with leading research. No more! Black, queer and proudly demanding change in UK HE thru COLLECTIVE ACTION bc #PGRsDeserveDiginity @UCUPostgrads

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

@nat_arias is a PGR and Doctoral Tutor, "I'm on the picket lines because our seminars are much too crowded... We are not paid enough... Black academic researchers are not here for show, we are a substantial part of this movement!"

If you're a PGR or DT, join UCU. #ucuRISING

[UCU @ucu]

Thanks for the support Dani

Together we will fix the broken university system
#ucuRISING

[Lukas Slothuus @lslothuus]

LSE massively over-recruited this year and has massively increased my class sizes. Students have to squeeze into the classroom. Extra marking, extra office hour appointments, extra emails, extra admin, without any extra pay, while the institution pockets £23k per foreign student

[UCU @ucu]

Just this week, universities have offered pay day loans to struggling staff, tried to use precarious postgraduate researchers to break strikes, & have sent intimidating emails to those planning to take action.

On these dates we strike for change.

STAND WITH US

#ucuRISING

[Jo Grady @DrJoGrady]

I NEED EVERY UCU MEMBER AND SUPPORTER TO RT THIS

Universities have started to offer pay day loans instead of putting a real offer on the table.

This is utterly scandalous. We have members struggling to put food on the table and they think acting like Wonga is the answer 😡

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

Remember we represent tutors, PGRs, clinicians, librarians, professional service staff and many more!
This is a call out to academics when you go out to recruit today, talk to your PS and PGR colleagues too!

#UCUrising

[Sussex UCU @sussexucu]

1/ Dear Sasha Roseneil, @PROF_KTJONES, Peter Mitchell - PGRs at @SussexUni are demanding dignity - we want a fair contract that provides payment for the work we do, transparent hiring processes and the rewarding of continuous service. A thread:

[BrightonAntifascists @brightonanti]

🔴⚫️Homophobes, transphobes and fascists are coming to Brighton. Show them what our city is known for!

We’ve been asked to share a call to join the protest against hate and bigotry on Thursday 4th - Jubilee Library - 10 AM.🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[Nat Arias @nat_arias]

Its a collective struggle. To any current and/or incoming post-grad researchers working at U.Sussex (or any UK HE), you are welcomed as a @UCUPostgrads at @sussexucu
#FourFights