Thursday 24-11-2022 - 15:09

Dates of strikes – scale of strikes

Over 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK are striking, after University and College Union members backed a national ballot in favour of industrial action. This follows a series of smaller strikes in recent years. A number of Liverpool Hope University staff will participate in the strike action. These strikes are considered to be one of the largest ever in the higher education sector. The dates of which are listed below:

• Thursday 24^th November
• Friday 25^th November
• Wednesday 30^th November

What is UCU

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians, technicians, professional staff and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK. UCU is a member-led organisation where decisions are made by UCU members themselves.

 

Why are University staff striking?

The demands of UCU are not new, disputes have occurred over a number of years. UCU argue that their needs and asks have not been met by employers, as a result staff are taking action as a last resort to have their voices heard.

1. Pay

The UCU’s demands include a pay rise in recognition of the cost of living crisis. The employers' recent below inflation pay offer (3%) means another real terms pay cut for all staff. The value of UCU’s staff pay is now around 25% lower than a decade ago. With inflation forecast to keep increasing, salaries will continue to fall further and further short of the cost of living. UCU’s demand is for a pay uplift on all pay points that at least matches inflation (using RPI as a measure).

2. Casualisation

A huge proportion of university staff employed on fixed-term contracts, while many more have contracts which are dependent on funding. Casualisation is of particular concern to postgraduate researchers and that’s why we’re campaigning for a national GTA contract and a framework to eliminate precarious employment practices, including:

• A workload allocation model which sees GTAs adequately paid for all the time they work
• A guarantee that they’re paid at the appropriate grade and on a fractional rather than hourly basis
•  Paid time off for training
• The same rights and entitlements as permanent members of staff (e.g. sick leave, access to pension schemes, paid time for trade union activities).

3. Unmanageable workloads

The average working week for academic staff in higher education is now above 50 hours, with 29% of academics averaging more than 55 hours. UCU’s recent workload survey showed that staff on fractional contracts can be working 2-3 times the hours they are paid for each week. The average working week for PGRs is 47 hours. This takes a toll on university staffs physical and mental health. UCU are working towards the implementation of a national workload action plan with 35 hours being the standard weekly contract.

4. Intersectional pay inequality

UCU is fighting against pay inequality and the pay gap within the sector. Employers are failing to tackle this situation and that’s why we are demanding national action to monitor and end pay inequality. A survey found a gap of 17% between Black and white staff, a disability pay gap of 9% and a mean gender pay gap of 16%.

 

On pensions, UCU wants employers to reverse the cuts imposed in 2022, which it claims will see the average member lose about 35% from their future retirement income. (new-USS-data-unequivocal-in-proving-case-for-reversing-pension-cuts)

UCU have summarised their demands in the ‘four-fights’.

These demands are not new, disputes have occurred over a number of years. To see the detailed the detailed demands click the link https://www.ucu.org.uk

 

What is a strike?

Striking means that staff do not do any work on the days that UCU have specified. This includes not engaging in any activity which is part of their work such as teaching, administration, meetings, emails related to work, marking, research or conferences. Staff participating in strikes will subsequently have a day’s salary deducted for each day they participate. The UCU strikes are seen as a last resort. UCU are using these strikes to help advance the interests of staff throughout the sector through creating disruption in the hope to make a local and national change and bargain to create solutions.

 

How will this affect studies ?

The University are trying to minimise the disruption to students. To see more FAQ’s the university have outlined what they are actioning for students as a result of the strikes. Click the link to find more information - LHU striking response

University facilities will still be open as normal. So, you can still use the library and food outlets as usual.

If you are worried about the affects that the strikes will have on your education get in touch with your Head of Department or Head of School.  

 

What to do if you want to support strikes

By engaging with the strikes and supporting the movement students can have an impact and can help rise the momentum of the movement which may allow strikes to end sooner.

Ways in which students can get involved include but are not limited to:

• Write/email university staff who are taking part in the strikes. This shows that you support the movement.
• Talk to your friends and spread the word – the strikes will only be successful if we get behind them, cause a headache for the university management, and force them to address the issue. Only then can we prevent the increasing squeeze on academics and higher education.
• Joining picket lines or asking questions about anything you may not fully understand.

 

What to do if you disagree with strikes and feel like it will have a negative affect on studies

We understand that this is likely to cause disruption to many students studies. If you are unhappy with the effect it is having you can:

• Get in touch with your Head of department or your Head of School.
• Complete a complaint (click the link to see more info) complaint procedure flowchart.
• You can get more information about your consumer rights by clicking the link - OIA INDUSTRIAL ACTION
• If you need any support from the student union please get in touch with our advice and support lead by emailing suadvice@hope.ac.uk or call  01512913663.

 

What the SU are doing to support students during this time

The SU want to work with students and help them understand the reasoning behind the strikes. We are on hand to answer any questions students may have and offer support during this time. The SU team will be working as normal during this period, please get in touch or pop into our office (room FML009) if you are in need of any support or advice throughout this period.