goldsmiths mutual aid

The fund was established in 2020 to provide mutual aid to precarious staff at Goldsmiths whose employment was cut during Covid-19. The fund has mobilised in four rounds of applications for Goldsmiths workers facing hardship due to casualisation, job-losses, damaging restructures and resistance through industrial action.

Now in autumn 2026, we are launching the Goldsmiths Mutual Aid Fund for a new round as the Goldsmiths UCU Support Fund Solidarity Levy. 

GUCU members are currently approaching their fourth month of indefinite strike action in defence of jobs, education, and the future of Goldsmiths. The dispute began after management announced redundancies and restructuring, imposing £22 million of cuts, on top of two previous rounds of restructuring and redundancies. GUCU members have taken action short of a strike, including a marking and assessment boycott, before management responded with 100% pay deductions. Faced with what amounted to a lockout, members voted to escalate to indefinite strike action from Monday 8 June.

Throughout this dispute, and previously, the solidarity and generosity of trade union branches, supporters, students, alumni, friends and colleagues has sustained GUCU members. Following many months of action, and with branches across the country also facing lengthy disputes, there is an understandable limit to how much fellow branches can contribute. 

The decision has been made to build a broader base of support through the creation of this solidarity levy. Voluntary levies have played a key role in the history of trade unionism, including the establishment of the Miners’ Solidarity Fund during the 1984-5 strike against the Thatcher government. By making a one off contribution or a regular monthly contribution, supporters can help provide a more stable source of assistance for members facing severe financial hardship during industrial action.

Donations to the fund will provide direct financial support to GUCU members participating in industrial action (some of whom are facing 100% pay deductions). This vital support will help sustain the leverage wrought through collective action through this dispute.

The Goldsmiths UCU Support Fund is not an official GUCU fund but is administered by GUCU members and supporters with the backing of the branch. The fund exists to provide practical solidarity to those experiencing hardship during the dispute. Transparency, accountability, and collective decision-making remain at the heart of how the fund operates. All funds raised through this funding call will be distributed to members through the Goldsmiths UCU Support Fund.

However much you can contribute as a one off or monthly contribution , your support will help sustain members through one of the longest and most difficult disputes in our branch's history.

An injury to one is an injury to all.