Notice of Industrial Action by UCU Update

Dear all students

Industrial Action Update:  January 2023

We have been notified by the University and College Union (UCU), which represents some academic and academic-related staff at the University, that they plan to extend and escalate their industrial action.

UCU have formally notified us of discontinuous strike action, expected to be throughout February and March 2023.  The first day of strike action has been announced as Wednesday 1 February 2023.

Further strike action dates are expected to be announced, and as we receive further notifications from UCU we will share this information on our FAQs webpages.  The current mandate for industrial action ends on 20 April 2023. 

While many students will not be affected, we recognise and understand the concerns of those students who may be impacted and we will continue to do everything we can to minimise any disruption – including keeping you informed throughout the period of the dispute. We are disappointed that this further period of industrial action is taking place while discussions regarding pay are ongoing between UCU and the national universities representative body UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association).

Since this is a national dispute, the University cannot act independently to influence the outcomes that UCU is seeking over pay and pensions. We do, however, recognise the impact of the increased cost of living on our staff and so, in addition to the nationally negotiated 3% pay increase, the University has also provided all academic and related staff with an exceptional, non-consolidated pay increase of 2% for this year. This is in addition to increases in pensions contributions.

Strike Action: What does this mean for me?

On each strike day some members of academic staff are likely to refuse to attend work or perform their duties – which may result in some cancelled sessions. The University will, however, be open and operating otherwise normally, including the Main Library, all study spaces and other support services across the campus. 

We will make every reasonable effort to contact students in advance about any changes or cancellations and, where possible, this will be communicated to you via your School/Department. As academic staff who strike do not have to inform the University in advance that they are striking, unfortunately we will not always be able to inform you that this is going to happen.  However, we expect that the vast majority of timetabled sessions will continue as normal, and that many students will see no disruption to their studies.

We will continue to provide students affected by the action with alternative support activities and online materials. Your School/Department will make every effort to make alternative arrangements for any cancelled events, including lectures, seminars, individual appointments, lab sessions etc, and will be putting mitigations in place to cover any lost learning sessions. Following the most recent period of strike action in November 2022 we have been able to provide alternative arrangements for 100% of missed sessions.

Everyone in the University community hopes for an end to this dispute through reasonable negotiation and resolution.  Further information is available on our FAQs webpages and we will continue to update these regularly as well as providing information to any affected students through your School. 

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Colleges

Professional Services