UCU Strike Dates Announced
The on-running conflict between staff and institution continues, with academics still making the case for improved pay and working conditions.
Photo Courtesy: UCU
The University and Colleges Union (UCU) has announced three days of strike action in the coming fortnight. This will see UCL, as well as 149 other institutions, establishing picket lines and having teaching disrupted. There has been a series of strikes over the last several academic years, dating back as far as 2017-18. The ‘Four Fights’ - improved pay, decreased workload, improvements in equality and an end to casualisation- that served as the interest of much of last year's action are still being rallied behind.
The 24th, 25th and 30th of November will see many lectures, tutorials and seminars cancelled or disrupted. In addition to these ‘Full Strike Days’, the 23rd of November will see staff partake beforehand in industrial action . In the week leading up to these days, lecturers and Post Graduate Teaching Assistants (PGTAs) will alert students of any cancellations. In turn, students can refuse to cross the picket line, with no consequences from the university for time missed. Staff will be establishing picket lines outside various buildings on campus and a wider UCU march is scheduled to take place on the 30th November in the King’s Cross area.
Additionally, a vote is being held by the UCL Students Union, asking if students are in favour of supporting the strike. On 17th November, an open meeting was held to discuss this prospect and information has been published regarding the voting procedure. This comes following last academic year’s controversial decision made by the UCL Student Union to withdraw their support for strike action without consulting the student body. A result is expected on Wednesday, 23rd November.
The UCU has already suggested more strikes later this academic year, with more information to follow depending on the reactions of universities up and down the nation. They demand that employers act to meet demands to prevent further strikes from happening.