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Nearing the end... part 1?
16 March 2018
With the majority of branches having ended their initial 14 days of strike action UCU general secretary Sally Hunt reflects on the impact of the action so far and how to keep the pressure on.
She thanked members for their steadfast support and goes on to say that 'when we started on 22 February we knew members were angry about the pension cuts. However the strength of support across the union for the strike has taken employers and the outside world by surprise.'
Although the dispute is far from settled she said that, 'after members' rejection of the employers' revised offer we are continuing to increase the pressure.'
There are a number of ways this can be done:
- support the call for external examiners to consider resigning from posts at USS institutions
- support the call for members who are on visas to be allowed to exercise the right to strike without fear of any impact upon their status
- until further notice.
And finally, she urged, 'please support our colleagues at Queen Mary, University of London, King's College London, University of Edinburgh, University of Stirling, St George's, University of London, Ruskin College, and the Institute of Development Studies who are continuing on strike next Monday and Tuesday as they fly the flag for UCU.'
Sally concluded her update by reporting on the practical steps needed to resolve the dispute, 'UCU has welcomed the statement by the employers that they are prepared for further talks aimed at addressing UCU members' concerns. We are ready for more negotiations when the employers have concluded their own consultations.
'However we are now also talking to branches about the most effective way to organise the next wave of action. I hope to be in a position to report further on this next week.'
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