Friday 14th Sept: national Day of action - Amnesty for London Met Students!

When? 1pm on Friday the 14th September. Where? Where you are right now! There's plenty of ways to get involved. Called by: London Met UCU and London Met UNISON. On Friday, the London Met UCU and UNISON are asking everyone to do something locally. This could be something really small like signing a petition or big like attending a small protest. This could be: 1) Signing the official NUS Petition. Find it here and get your students' union, clubs, societies, lecturers, officers, friends and family to add their name too: http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/support-for-london-metropolitan-university-and-internat1.html 2) Sending a letter to your MP too here - it only takes 1-2 minutes! http://www.nus.org.uk/en/letter-writing/support-for-london-metropolitan-university-and-international-students/ And ask them to sign EDM 437: http://www.londonmetunison.org.uk/2012/09/edm/ 3) Attending your MP surgery and meeting with your MP to raise concerns. 4) Organising an open meeting/forum to discuss international student issues. 5) Attending any local gatherings/protests. 6) Come to our rally / open discussion the night before at London Met: http://www.londonmetunison.org.uk/2012/09/we-are-london-me/ Updates of a list of action are on this facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/149899955150176/ PLANNED EVENTS ******************************************* MANCHESTER: https://www.facebook.com/events/432596863453838/ WALES: https://www.facebook.com/events/384170921653590/ LONDON: https://www.facebook.com/events/386047754796918/ STATEMENTS AND ACTIONS FROM STUDENTS' UNIONS ABOUT LONDON MET ******************************************** BATH SU: Has written an open letter to our local MP and published a brief statement here: http://www.bathstudent.com/news/article/busu/Action-on-London-Met-University/ BIRKBECK SU: "#bbksucouncil discusses the London Met situation and sends #solidarity to the thousands of international students affected" (from the SU homepage). http://www.birkbeckunion.org/ BIRMINGHAM CITY STUDENTS' UNION: Have issued a statement on their website. BOURNEMOUTH STUDENTS' UNION: Spread the NUS petition to students and have encouraged students to write to their MPs. CARDIFF STUDENTS' UNION: Have lobbied their local MP on this issue. CITY SU: promoted the NUS petition to their student body and wrote to their local MP. GOLDSMITHS SU: released a statement of condemnation jointly with UCU (http://www.goldsmithssu.org/blog/entry/116), and promoted the petition. HULL STUDENTS' UNION: Have published a blog on their website: http://www.hullstudent.com/welfare/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=338763 KCLSU: released a statement of condemnation (http://www.kclsu.org/news.asp?itemid=8978&itemTitle=KCLSU+statement+on+London+Met+Visa+restrictions&section=24&sectionTitle=News) of UKBA's decision on London Met LIVERPOOL HOPE STUDENTS' UNION: Have issued a statement and have spread the petition amongst students. www.hopesu.com/londonmet LIVERPOOL GUILD OF STUDENTS: Have published the petition on their website, written to MPs and published a statement on their website: http://lgos.org/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=338853. LSESU: released a statement of condemnation (http://lsesu.tumblr.com/post/30511976227/ukba-revoking-london-mets-highly-trusted-status), publicized petition and demo to members and lobbied local MP LONDON FILM SCHOOL: Have issued a message of support: http://londonfilmsch.blogspot.co.uk/ MIDDLESEX STUDENTS' UNION: Have written to MPS, embassies and issued a statement on their website: http://www.musu.mdx.ac.uk/articles/85 MIDKENT COLLEGE STUDENTS' UNION: Have published a statement of support: http://www.mkcsu.co.uk/articles/mkcsu-support-international-students-of-london-met ROEHAMPTON SU: have lobbied their local MP on the issue ROYAL HOLLOWAY SU: released a statement on their website (https://www.su.rhul.ac.uk/news/article/6001/Standing-with-London-Met/), publicized petition to students and lobbied local MP. SHEFFIELD STUDENTS' UNION: Have published a joint statement on their website with their Vice-Chancellor: http://www.shef.ac.uk/news/nr/statement-on-international-students-1.205295?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social%2Bmedia&utm_campaign=generic SOAS SU: sent out an all students' email publicizing NUS petition, demo and write to your MP campaign. Lobbied the local MP to sign EDM and wrote to the School's director to demand that he releases a statement of condemnation. They also brought 20 SOAS students to the demo last Wednesday. SOUTHHAMPTON STUDENTS' UNION: Have written a blog: http://blogs.susu.org/sabbs/2012/08/30/london-met-university-faces-international-student-crisis/ SUSSEX SU: lobbied the VC and released a public statement (with great pictures!) http://www.sussexstudent.com/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=270943 PORTSMOUTH SU: lobbied the VC and the local MP. OXFORD STUDENTS' UNION: Have published a statement on London Met that was picked up by it's local papers: http://oxfordstudent.com/2012/09/04/ousu-condemns-scapegoating-at-london-met/ UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS LONDON SU: (SUARTS) endorsed and publicized a statement of condemnation of UKBA's revocation of London Met's HTS license. http://suartsculturediversity.tumblr.com/post/30513804432/statement-from-university-of-london-union-re UCASU: Have issued a statement on their website with their VC: http://ucasu.com/news/vice-chancellor-lmu UCLU: tweeted about it, publicized petition and demo to their students ULU: initiated a statement of condemnation signed by over 40 officers from London based institutions; publicized petition, lobbied local MP and publicized demo. WARWICK STUDENTS' UNION: Sent an all member email to students encouraging them to sign the NUS petition: http://www.warwicksu.com/blogs/blog/nickswain/2012/08/31/Supporting-the-Students-of-London-Met/ YORK STUDENTS' UNION: Have emailed their MPs, circulated the petitions, contacted embassies and have issued a joint statement with their University on their website: http://www.yusu.org/your-union/blogs/entry/897 YSJ STUDENTS' UNION: Have issued a message on their website: http://www.ysjsu.com/articles/york-st-john-students-union-highly-disappointed-by-uk-border-agency-s-disregard-for-international-students OTHER ORGANISATIONS ******************************************* ABEP (Association of Brazilian Postgraduates and Researchers): Have written to Damian Green and the Brazilian Embeassy. BRAZILIAN WORKER'S PARTY - (London Branch) Have published an open letter: http://www.ptlondres.org.uk/ JEREMY CORBYN MP: Has been actively campaigning on this issue. http://www.jeremycorbyn.org.uk/ THE GREEN PARTY: Has released a statement. http://greenparty.org.uk/news/2012/09/04/green-party-calls-for-amnesty-for-students-of-london-metropolitan-university/ PCS UNION: Have issued a message of support on their website: http://www.pcs.org.uk/en/news_and_events/pcs_comment/index.cfm/id/B97B17FE-F92C-49E9-BE739EA7C3C94C9D UKCISA: Have issued a statement on their website: http://www.ukcisa.org.uk/about/consultations.php#londonmet

Amnesty Now! Save London Met Uni!

UNISON and UCU members vote to support our international students 100%

When? 1pm on Weds 5th September Where? Outside the Home Office on Marsham Street. Called by: London Met UCU and London Met UNISON. Supported by: National Union of Students, London Met SU, NUS Black Students' Campaign, Students Association of Nigerians in Diaspora (SAND), National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts, University of London Union, Education Activist Network, Student Broad Left, SOAS SU, Next Generation Labour, University of Leicester Students' Union. To add your organisation to the list - email NUS Black Students' Officer aaron.kiely@nus.org.uk. Sign the Petition: Amnesty for international students at London Metropolitan University Early day motion 437 Send a letter to your MP too and ask them to sign EDM 437  http://www.nus.org.uk/en/letter-writing/support-for-london-metropolitan-university-and-international-students/ London Met SU are asking students to bring suitcase/bags so that we can use them build a massive pile in front of the Home Office and we are asking everyone to bring their national flags! **** Act now to defend international students from a vicious Tory attack! The Tory government's assault on international students has stepped up a gear this week, with moves to deport more than 2,600 students currently studying at London Met University. London Met University's licence to teach and recruit students from outside the EU has been revoked, meaning that over 2,600 international students will soon have only 60 days to find a place at another university or be forced to leave the country without completing their studies. With their future on the line, thousands of pounds of tuition fees spent and serious doubts over whether they will be able to finish their degrees it is no surprise that international students at London Met are fearful. Lecturers at London Met have called for a lobby/protest outside of the Home Office on Wednesday 5 September at 1pm demanding that the 2,600 international students are allowed to complete their studies. Please spread the word. UNISON and UCU have a list of demands on the Governors http://www.londonmetunison.org.uk/2012/09/amnesty-now-save-london-met/ Early day motion 437 That this House calls on the Home Secretary to reverse the decision of the UK Border Agency to suspend London Metropolitan University's right to recruit overseas students; believes it is grossly unfair on those existing overseas students who attend university and will now be forced to move elsewhere or face removal from the UK; further calls on the Home Office and the university to work together to resolve any administrative issues and not threaten the future of the university; and also believes that this decision has very damaging and serious consequences for every university and will further deter overseas students from choosing to study in the UK. http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/437 You can ask your MP to sign EDM 437 via: http://www.writetothem.com/

The #LondonMet connection

Well, who remembers this? Worth watching the whole thing.

Stop the Squeeze! The real cost of Higher Education

A public meeting organised by UNISON, UCU and Unite branches August 23, 2012 · by dancooperulu · in Uncategorized "Stop the Squeeze! The real cost of Higher Education. A public meeting organised by UNISON, UCU and Unite branches"   Lunch provided. ULU, Malet Street. 12th September, 13.00 – 14.00, Malet Suite, third floor.   Did you know… - Women working in HE earn on average 15% less than men? - HE staff have received a real terms pay cut of over 10% in 3 years? - Courses are being cut and students will be paying more for less? - Many staff are paid less than the London Living Wage? - Pay for vice-chancellors continues to soar – by up 80% last year?   Come and find out what we can do, as we prepare for a ballot for industrial action in October. Students and staff welcome.   Poster attached here: unionposter[1]

ISM’s response to the Rachel Corrie trial verdict

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is deeply concerned by the verdict of Judge Oded Gershon that absolved Israel's military and state of the 2003 murder of American ISM activist Rachel Corrie. Rachel was crushed to death by an Israeli army bulldozer while protesting the demolition of a Palestinian home in the Gaza Strip. Despite the American administration stating that the Israeli military investigation had not been "thorough, credible and transparent" and the Israeli government withholding key video and audio evidence, Judge Gershon found no fault in the investigation or in the conclusion that the military and state were not responsible for Rachel's death. Judge Gershon ruled  that Rachel was to blame for her own murder and classifies her non-violent attempt to prevent war crimes as proof that Rachel was not a "thinking person". By disregarding international law and granting Israeli war criminals impunity Judge Gershon's verdict exemplifies the fact that Israel's legal system cannot be trusted to administer justice according to international standards.The ISM calls on the international community to hold Israel accountable by supporting the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) and continuing to join the Palestinian struggle in the occupied Palestinian territories. Describing the situation in Gaza 2 days before she was killed, Rachel said, "I'm witnessing the systematic destruction of a people's ability to survive. It's horrifying."  Rachel's analysis holds true today, confirmed by the United Nations a day before this ruling, which reported that Gaza would not be "liveable" by 2020 barring urgent action. The verdict is a green light for Israeli soldiers to use lethal force against human rights defenders and puts Palestinian and International human rights defenders in mortal danger. This will not deter us. As long as our Palestinian sisters and brothers want our presence, the ISM will continue to find ways to break Israel's siege, and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. As Rachel's mother Cindy put it, "There were children behind the walls of the home Rachel was trying to protect...We should have all been there". Judge Gershon's verdict is a travesty of justice but it is not exceptional.  As a rule the Israeli legal system provides Israeli soldiers impunity to commit murder. The only Israeli soldier convicted of manslaughter since the outbreak of the second Intifada in 2000 was Taysir Hayb, a Bedouin citizen of Israel for shooting British ISM volunteer Tom Hurndall in the back of the head with a sniper rifle as Tom was carrying a child to safety. At least 6,444 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli occupation forces in this period, with no justice for them or their families.             -- PLEASE FORWARD THIS UPDATE WIDELY   DONATE @ http://palsolidarity.org/donate WEBSITE: http://palsolidarity.org YOUTUBE: http://youtube.com/user/ISMPalestine TWITTER: http://twitter.com/ismpalestine FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/International-Solidarity-Movement/56674479144

UNISON members are behind our campaign to stop their neoliberal experiment

London Metropolitan University needs further industrial action like we need a hole in the head, but current management give us no choice with their plans to privatise large swaths of back-office functions (Report, 15 August). Since the G4S Olympics fiasco, does anybody still believe the private sector delivers improved services or savings? London Met's vice-chancellor, Malcolm Gillies, and his friend in government, David Willetts, certainly do, and so does Willetts' close adviser Jonathan Woodhead, who since the general election has worked for London Met. But no one outside the upper echelons of power at London Met Uni does, and certainly not Unison members, who are fully behind our campaign to stop their neoliberal experiment on our already troubled university. An industrial action ballot is imminent if the university goes ahead to sign a contract with Capita, Wipro or BT Global – all of whom have a horrendous record in messing up public services elsewhere and have a tendency to send jobs overseas to save money. Catherine Maguire, Max Watson London Met Unison, Sara Wright, Naomi Bain, Molly Cooper, Sandy Nicoll Unison Higher Education, London http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/aug/20/university-challenge-london-metropolitan-university?

We'll do everything within our means to stop this nightmare

Max Watson, chairman of the London Met branch of Unison, the trade union representing support staff at the university, warned of industrial unrest. He said: "Our current management appears to be hell bent on deeply damaging our university's reputation and risk permanently scarring already bad industrial relations with the ideologically-driven privatisation of London Met. "They aim to gamble millions of public-sector funds on the free market as if they have learnt nothing from the most recent G4S Olympics security fiasco. "Unison members have made it clear that they are appalled by these proposals, which have no support beyond the vice-chancellor's office. We shall never agree to the wide-scale privatisation of our university and we shall do everything within our means to stop this nightmare becoming reality." http://www.exaronews.com/articles/4550/profit-making-company-poised-to-run-university-in-first-for-uk