More strikes are confirmed for 21 - 25 March.
The Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) have called a strike at 58 universities, including UCL.
What's going on?
58 UK Universities will be impacted by strike action this term. The University and College Union (UCU), the nationwide trade union representing academic and support staff, has announced further industrial action over the future of the pension scheme, pay and conditions.
Since 2009, university staff pay has effectively been cut by nearly 20% in real terms, while staff are being asked to work harder and longer than ever before. The employers' own analysis highlights that women, black and minority ethnic, and disabled staff experience significant pay discrimination. Casual contracts remain entrenched, and 3,000 university staff were made redundant during the pandemic. Yet the university employers are refusing to commit themselves to meaningful action on any of these appalling conditions.
UCU members want to be at work, not on strike, but the future of higher education is under threat. Growing inequality affects both students and staff - poor working conditions mean poor learning conditions.
UCU are negotiating with employers now in a campaign called the 'Four Fights'. You can read more here.
When is the next UCU strike happening at UCL?
Monday 21 March to Friday 25 March
What does this mean for you?
It is difficult to predict how you will be affected, particularly ahead of time. UCU represents approximately 3,000 staff across a variety of academic and professional services roles, but not all staff at UCL are members. Staff who choose to strike do not have to tell UCL of their intention beforehand and they may not commit to all strike days.
This industrial action could mean that your classes or lectures are cancelled or that labs and spaces are closed or have limited availability. You may also find that offices and student support services are not fully staffed on strike days.
You may see a picket line of UCU members outside some UCL buildings. Staff may ask you not to cross their picket line, but they are not allowed to prevent you from entering buildings.
What do I do if my learning is affected?
During the 2020 strike, UCL established a Learning Opportunities Fund for students to help mitigate the impact of the strikes, students were able to apply for £250 compensation.
We're asking UCL to re-establish a similar fund for strikes in 2021-22, but we need your feedback on the impact strikes have had on your learning. Tell us here.
You will not be assessed on any academic content that was not properly covered due to strike action.
Does the Students' Union support the strike?
Yes.
Between Friday 21 and Wednesday 26 January we held a referendum on teaching strikes, asking you: ‘Should the Students' Union support the UCU strikes of 2021?’.
An incredible 5,116 students voted – it’s the largest referendum we’ve ever held. The motion passed, with a clear majority voting to support teaching strikes.
| Voters | % | |
| Yes | 2,996 | 60 |
| No | 1,997 | 40 |
*123 students voted to abstain.
How can I support the strike?
Here are some of the ways you can support staff on strike:
- Join staff on picket lines. Each morning from 7:00, staff will gather outside the UCL front gates, coordinators from UCU will organise strikers for different buildings. If you want to join them, feel free.
- Sign the NUS open letter to show that Students stand in solidarity with UCU's demands. Sign here.
- Attend teach-outs. Many of our academic staff will be holding lectures in public spaces near campus. Attend, learn and support their cause. Follow UCL's UCU branch for information or have a look at the planned teach-outs for 21 and 22 February.
- Be supportive of striking staff, they are doing this as a last resort. They’re fighting Universities UK (the representative body for Universities in the UK) and any frustrations you might feel should be directed to their door.
- If you can, don’t cross picket lines. If you can - work from home, in other public spaces, or in the Bloomsbury Building or the Lewis Building. If you can re-arrange meetings to meet via skype - do it. It’s the easiest way to show your support.
Will Students' Union buildings and services be open?
Yes, all Union buildings, cafes, bars and the gym will be open as usual. If you arrive on campus to find your lecture cancelled, our spaces are open for you to study.
Can I still attend / run a club or society event during the strike?
Yes. The strikes are unlikely to impact your events. Students' Union buildings and facilities will be open as usual. If you're running an event with a guest speaker who is participating in the strike, please contact the Activities team who'll be able to advise on the next steps. They're on [email protected]
Will I be penalised for missing a class because I chose not to cross the picket line?
You will not be penalised if you miss class because you have chosen not to cross the picket line.
Will Tier 4 visa students be penalised for not attending classes?
If you are on student visa you will not be penalised if you are unable to attend classes that have been cancelled due to the strike action.
Students with a student visa who are affected by cancelled lectures or teaching events should be advised to report to the Teaching Administrator in their department so that they can demonstrate that they are continuing to engage with their programme of study. A record of this contact should be kept by the Departmental Teaching Administrator as evidence.
Will I get a refund on my fees for the classes that are cancelled?
The UCL-Student Relationship Terms and Conditions defines your rights and responsibilities under the contract you made with UCL when you accepted the offer to study at UCL.
Section 4 deals with unplanned changes to your course:
Occasionally UCL may need to make changes to or cancel part of or an entire Programme due to circumstances that are beyond its reasonable control. This could include ... industrial action, over or under demand for courses or modules, lack of funding, non-availability of suitable staff, severe weather, fire, civil disorder, political unrest and government restrictions.
If UCL take the position that the industrial action is a circumstance ‘beyond its reasonable control’ it is unlikely that refunds will be offered to any students. Students can contact our Advice Service for further assistance; however the advice available will be limited until the full impact of the industrial action is known (including whether departments are rescheduling teaching and learning opportunities missed during this period).
More information on UCL’s terms and conditions can be found here.
Extenuating Circumstances - what can I do if the strike affects my learning?
You do not need to submit an extenuating circumstances form as UCL have information about the impact of the strike on your classes. This includes exams and coursework assessment.
For more support on the above or any other academic problem, our Advice Service is here to help. You can also contact our Advice Service using our contact form. More on UCL’s extenuating circumstances policy can be found here (scroll down the page).
What to do if you need to access support services during the strike?
You don’t have to cross the picket lines to access support services like Student Support and Wellbeing.
Almost all services are available remotely if you do not want to physically come to campus.
How can you find out whether your classes are affected?
As far as possible your department will try to inform you about changes to the teaching schedule through the usual channels, i.e. email and Moodle, but please remember that striking staff do not have to tell UCL in advance.
Throughout the period of action, you should:
- Keep a close eye on your UCL emails and look out for Moodle page announcements.
- Stay informed by following the links in this update and looking out for announcements in the media.
What is a picket line like at UCL?
A picket line is a boundary established by staff who are on strike.
At UCL, this usually takes the shape of 3-4 staff standing outside entrances to buildings. Other staff and students will be asked not to cross these picket lines, as to do so may be considered to be undermining the strike.
It is your personal choice as to whether you want to cross the picket line, staff cannot stop you from entering campus or campus buildings.
Do staff on strike get paid?
When staff go on strike they forfeit their pay. This is a hugely difficult decision for staff to make.
The money that UCL doesn't pay to staff due to strike action is put into a Learning Opportunities Fund which will be used to support students who have missed teaching or learning due to the strike action and to offset the disruption caused.