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  9. Open University strike suspended

Strike action suspended at the Open University

1 February 2016

Strike was planned for tomorrow at Open University offices in Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gateshead, Leeds, London, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Manchester and Nottingham

Strike action has been suspended at the Open University following negotiations between the university and UCU.

UCU said discussions were ongoing, but that it had suspended tomorrow's action as a gesture of good faith. The union said it hoped further progress would be made and that any final offer would be put to UCU members at the Open University.

In November the Open University approved controversial plans to shut regional centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Gateshead, Leeds, London and Oxford. That decision led to a wave of national and regional strikes in November, with three-quarters (72%) of UCU members who voted backing strike action.

UCU Open University branch president Pauline Collins said: 'We feel that significant progress has been made in the negotiations. As an act of good faith we have cancelled tomorrow's strike action to build on what has been achieved so far.

'We hope we can continue to work with the university to address members' concerns about job security and working conditions. Any final deal will be put to members for their consideration.'

Last updated: 4 February 2016