UCU Rising: next wave of strike action dates

Last week we let you know that UCU's higher education committee (HEC) has called 18 days of strike action over February and March. Today I'm writing to confirm the dates which are: 

• Week 1 - Wednesday 1 February
• Week 2 - Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February 
• Week 3 - Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February 
• Week 4 - Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February 
• Week 5 - Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March 
• (No action week commencing Monday 6 March) 
• Week 6 - Thursday 16 and Friday 17 March 
• Week 7 - Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 March. 

Taking action at any time is difficult, but we would not be calling this action if there was another way. The phasing of the dates gives our employers significant amounts of time to continue negotiating with us to find a way forward that doesn't result in all this industrial action being taken. There are eight days before our first day of strike action on 1 February, after which the next day of action is 9 February which is 16 days away. 

There is a clear route out of these disputes, but at present vice-chancellors lack the political will to take it. They are failing staff who want to get back to work, and students who want to return to their studies.   

From February, we will begin reballoting members to allow action to continue through the rest of the academic year, should they continue to drag their feet. 

Our union will support every single member who takes action. We have a national fighting fund and many of our branches have local hardship funds. Please speak to your local representatives for more information. 

You will hear a lot of noise in the coming weeks; you will be pressured, you will be intimidated and you will be asked to break the strike. All of this shows how much impact we are having. Be confident, be proud and be on the picket lines. 

The longer the picket line, the shorter the dispute. 

In solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary