Nottingham Trent University hit by strike action

Staff say the strike action was a sign of how desperate the situation has become and warned that if the university continued to ignore the problem then further disruption was likely.
 
Over 100 UCU members braved the autumn weather to staff picket lines outside all entrances to NTU from 7am, including Clifton Campus and the main university buildings in the city centre. There was also a picket line outside the university's Brackenhurst Campus.
 
Local UCU members are angry that the university has formally terminated recognition of UCU - the world's largest post-16 education trade union. Despite NTU saying it will continue to deal with the union, it is insisting that it will only recognise UCU if it complies with its new proposals.
 
The union said today that it will be writing to Sir Michael Parkinson, CBE, ahead of his official installation as NTU's first chancellor on Tuesday 11 November at the Royal Concert Hall to ask him to use his new influence to help resolve the current impasse. UCU would also like him to receive a 12,000-strong petition from the academic community opposing the university's actions.
 
UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'NTU members' magnificent campaign encapsulates everything that UCU stands for. Strong union representation is an essential civilising force across higher education; defending members' professional interests and defending education itself. I pledge the national union's full support until we achieve victory.
 
'The university needs to listen to its dedicated staff and come back to the negotiating table. We do not want to damage the fine reputation of NTU and are willing to talk immediately. We do not understand the university's reluctance to resolve this matter, but we will take further action if the University continues to ignore its staff and leaves us with no alternative.'
 
The old recognition agreement signed by the unions and the university provided for nine months' notice of termination. On 4 July the university wrote to UCU and said it was aware that it should give nine months' notice, but had decided to terminate the agreement on 4 October.
 
On Monday 29 September UCU members voted with over a three quarters majority in favour of industrial action.