Strikes called off & employers backtrack on pay docking

UCU members at 42 universities will now be striking for five consecutive days from Monday 25 to Friday 29 September. And members at a further 10 universities will be striking on at least one day next week. 

Strikes had been set to go ahead at over 140 universities across the UK in a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions. UCU members also engaged in a marking boycott over the summer that has now ended. Employers responded to the boycott by making pay deductions of up to 100%. Deals have now been made between employers and branches over the ending of these deductions, including at the University of Aberdeen, the University of Bristol, the University of Bath, Glasgow Caledonian University, the University of Stirling and the University of Sussex. UCU is calling on other universities to follow their lead and said halting strike action will also allow branches to focus on getting the vote out in the national ballot that opened this week and will run to Friday 3 November. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'We have seen many employers do the right thing and agree to stop punitive pay deductions and some have also agreed to return what has been taken. We are now urging other vice-chancellors to follow their lead and are calling off strike action at dozens of universities. This will also allow our members to concentrate on winning the reballot and getting the pay and conditions they deserve. 

'Renewing our mandate and keeping the pressure on is the way we will win this dispute, but the strike action due to go ahead next week stands as a reminder to all employers that if you behave egregiously, you will face further disruption.'