With UCU strike action taking place next week (25-29 September), find out what's going on and how you may be affected.
You may have heard that UCU strike action is taking place next week (25-29 September). Whether you’re new to the University or a returning student, you’ll likely be wondering what is going on and how you’ll be affected, so we’re here to give you a much-needed update:
Who, What & Why?
The University and College Union (UCU) is a British trade union, which represents academic and support staff in education (mostly those educating in a higher or further education setting). Check out our ‘Who are the UCU?’ article for more information.
Trade unions are membership organisations that provide a range of assistance and services to members in exchange for a membership fee. There are many trade unions in the UK, and they usually represent members working in a specific industry or field. Membership of a trade union is optional, but it is protected under employee rights.
- Why do we need to know about them?
UCU are the trade union that represents the majority of the academic staff here at Royal Holloway, their campaigns and activities can have an impact on your lecturers and in turn your education. In April 2023, University staff at Royal Holloway began taking part in the latest round of UCU industrial action. This ballot ends next month, but until then UCU is able to still ask its members to take part in industrial action.
There is an ongoing pay and working conditions dispute. UCU members are striking as this dispute hasn’t yet been resolved. Pay negotiations are held nationally between the UCU and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA). You can find out more information in our ‘UCU Pay and Conditions Ballot’ article.
What do I need to know about the upcoming strike action?
UCU has announced five strike days over the pay and working conditions dispute from Monday 25 to Friday 29 September. This means some of your lectures or seminars might be cancelled if your lecturers are taking part in the strike.
Staff on strike do not need to tell the University until after they have taken strike action, however, they may tell you if your classes are going to be impacted. You can ask your lecturers if they are striking, but they are not obligated to tell you. You should not assume that your lecturers will be on strike unless they have told you. You should still attend your lectures and seminars unless you have been specifically told not to.
UCU members also continue to take part in action short of a strike which includes; only working to contract, not undertaking any voluntary activities, not covering for absent colleagues, removing materials related to, and/or not sharing material related to, lectures or classes that will or have been cancelled as a result of strike action, and not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action.
Useful Information
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There may be picketers at the entrance to campus. However, staff and students should not feel intimidated passing picket lines as it is meant to be a peaceful protest.
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The University has an Industrial Action hub with useful FAQs and post updates to keep you informed. You’ll also find information here about the Industrial Action Hardship Fund and how the University plans to minimise the impact of industrial action on your studies.
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If you have concerns, in the first instance you should speak to your Personal Tutor or your School Office. There is also an Industrial Action complaint form that can be completed if you feel the strikes are impacting you and your studies.
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If your wellbeing has been affected by the strikes, then please reach out to the University’s Wellbeing department at wellbeing@royalholloway.ac.uk
We understand that you might be concerned about this but please don’t worry - whilst some teaching may be impacted, there will be lots of events and activities to get involved in across our Egham and London campuses. Services like the Library, Careers, Volunteering etc. will also still be operating during the strike days and so will we at the Students’ Union! If your lecture or seminar does get cancelled due to strike action, why not check out what we’ve got going on next week?
What happened to MAB?
This summer, UCU members took part in a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) as part of their industrial action. This resulted in some students experiencing delays in receiving their marks and outcomes. On Wednesday 6 September, the UCU withdrew their notice for the boycott, which means any outstanding work can now be marked.
The University has explained that Departments and Schools will be working to ensure that marking is completed promptly, and anyone still waiting for outstanding outcomes should have received an email by Tuesday 12 September with a timeline of when you will receive your results. If you have not yet received your email, you should contact your School Office.
What else do I need to know?
The UCU’s current ballot to take part in industrial action ends next month. However, they are currently re-balloting their members to determine whether they will engage in a further period of industrial action. The ballot results will be announced after it closes on Friday 3 November.
At the Students’ Union, we held a preferendum in Term Three where the student body mandated us to support UCU’s industrial action. This mandate runs until the end of the UCU ballot. We make sure to keep all students up to date with what’s going on and work with the University to ensure the impact on you remains minimal, whilst also engaging regularly with the Royal Holloway UCU branch.