Donate to KUCU Hardship Fund

Together we can all support the strike effort even if some of us may not be able to strike for a variety of reasons. This could make a great difference to our efforts to change the toxic culture and deteriorating conditions in Higher Education, and benefit everyone: union and non-union staff, members who strike and members who may not be able to strike. 

The Current Strike is the Longest Industrial Action we have had to Take in over 30 Years! No doubt, it will take a toll on all of our members; especially those who are most vulnerable, such as low income and sessional staff.

But together, we can halt and reverse the destructive results of the actions by successive governments. This is why, for the first time, we are asking members concretely for contributions to the KUCU Hardship Fund, to sustain the strike efforts so that the burden can be eased and shared as widely as possible. Especially, we appeal to members who cannot strike.

How to donate:

You can donate by transferring directly to

Account Name: UCU Keele Hardship Fund
Account Number: 20391579
Sort Code: 608301

What can my donations to the KUCU Hardship Fund do?

  • The KUCU can make a huge difference by complementing the limited funds available nationally.
  • Support has been streamlined and simplified so that those who are most vulnerable can receive it quickly.

For example:

  • £218 could support the net wage of a member who is a sessional teacher at Rate 11 (£29.91) for 3 days2.
  • £230 could support the net wage of a member who is a sessional teacher at Rate 2 (£52.23) for 2 days3.
  • £296 could support the net wage of a member who is a sessional teacher at Rate 3 (£69.42) for 2 days4.
  • £331 could support the net wage of a member who is on HE spine point 24 for 6 days5.

What could a fraction of my wage do?

We are asking colleagues to donate generously. We are asking UCU members who cannot strike on particular days and colleagues who are not UCU members to donate between 25% and 40% of the net wage that would have been deducted on a strike day for every day they do not strike (or as much as they can afford). The net wages have been calculated here and are reproduced below for convenience, including possible donation percentages:

Spine PointGross SalaryGross Salary per dayNet Salary per day25% per/day Donation30% per/day Donation40% per/day Donation
26£31,411£86.06£58.52£14.63£17.56£23.41
27£32,348£88.62£60.26£15.07£18.08£24.10
28£33,314£91.27£62.06£15.52£18.62£24.82
29£34,308£93.99£63.92£15.98£19.18£25.57
30£35,333£96.80£65.83£16.46£19.75£26.33
31£36,386£99.69£67.79£16.95£20.34£27.12
32£37,474£102.67£69.81£17.45£20.94£27.92
33£38,592£105.73£71.90£17.98£21.57£28.76
34£39,745£108.89£74.05£18.51£22.22£29.62
35£40,931£112.14£76.26£19.07£22.88£30.50
36£42,155£115.49£78.54£19.64£23.56£31.42
37£43,414£118.94£80.85£20.21£24.26£32.34
38£44,737£122.57£83.35£20.84£25.01£33.34
39£46,047£126.16£85.79£21.45£25.74£34.32
40£47,423£129.93£88.35£22.09£26.51£35.34
41£48,841£133.81£90.99£22.75£27.30£36.40
42£50,300£137.81£93.71£23.43£28.11£37.48
43£51,805£141.93£96.51£24.13£28.95£38.60
44£53,353£146.17£99.40£24.85£29.82£39.76
45£54,949£150.55£102.37£25.59£30.71£40.95
46£56,592£155.05£101.13£25.28£30.34£40.45
47£58,284£159.68£95.81£23.95£28.74£38.32
48£60,027£164.46£95.39£23.85£28.62£38.16
49£61,823£169.38£98.24£24.56£29.47£39.30
50£63,673£174.45£101.18£25.30£30.35£40.47

THANK YOU!

1 Keele University’s current rates can be found here.
2 Calculated here; assuming an individual working 14 hours (3 days) per week, who has personal tax allowance of £12570.
3 Calculated here; assuming an individual working 14 hours (2 days) per week, who has personal tax allowance of £12570.
4 Calculated here; assuming an individual working 14 hours (2 days) per week, who has personal tax allowance of £12570.
5 Data on deductions per spine point is provided here.