We fully support UCL staff on strike

We fully support UCL staff on strike

Members of UCL UCU have voted to back strike action on two separate legal disputes, one on pensions and one on pay, casualisation, workloads and inequality. UCU wants universities to meet their carefully weighted pay claim that would help alleviate pay inequality, which disproportionately impacts the young, women and black and minority ethnic staff on lower pay. At UCL, BAME staff on average, get paid 13.4% lower than white staff and women on average, get paid 15.9% lower than men.

As well as the fact that many research students at UCL will be on strike, it’s important that we defend our staff and their rights in the academic community of which we are a part. 

Their working environment is our learning environment. Overworked, precarious staff cannot provide us with the quality education we all deserve. Defending the rights of staff in our community matters. 

Strike action is always taken as a last resort - when all other means of negotiation have broken down. Staff across the UK went on strike over the same dispute in November and December 2019. It’s fair to say that staff do not want to strike again, but have been left with no other choice. Going on strike to fight for and defend their rights (and the rights of those entering careers in HE) has a significant financial impact on staff - many of whom are already underpaid.

If you are affected by the strikes you can apply for the Learning Opportunities Fund. As it may not have been possible to replace all the learning lost through cancelled classes, so UCL have established the Learning Opportunities Fund to enable you to buy extra resources to help you with your learning. Funds of up to £250 will be available for each student. Details on how to apply will be shared by UCL shortly.

The Learning Opportunities Fund is paid for by the salary sacrificed by striking staff. Money saved by UCL by not paying staff on strike is added to the Learning Opportunities Fund. Going on strike has a significant financial impact on staff - many of whom are already underpaid.

We are urging the Provost, Universities UK (UUK) and the Universities and College Employers Association (UCEA) to put forward proposals that address the very real issues affecting staff and the quality of our education. You can write to the Provost using this tool on the UCU website.

We stand in solidarity with striking staff, and you should too. Here’s how:

• Be supportive of striking staff, they're doing this as a last resort. Staff are in dispute with Universities UK (the representative body for Universities in the UK) and any frustrations you might feel about the disruption caused should not be aimed at academic staff.

• 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.

• Attend teach-outs. Many of our academic staff will be holding lectures in public spaces near campus. Attend, learn and support their cause. They will typically start at 13:00 on the Main Building picket line or on Malet Place.

• Sign this open letter (at the bottom of the page), encouraging UCL to put pressure on UUK resolve this matter.

• Join staff on picket lines. Each morning from 7:00, staff will gather outside UCL front gates, coordinators from UCU will organise strikers for different buildings. If you want to join them, feel free.

• Write to the Provost using this tool on the UCU website.

We are committed to working towards mitigating the implications and effects on students’ education, access and welfare during this time. Our Advice Service is on hand to provide support if needed. UCL have committed to ensuring that you are not disadvantaged by this action, we’ll make sure this promise is kept. Read our FAQs on the strike action for what info about attendance and mitigating circumstances. 

Read our frequently asked questions about the UCU strike.

In Solidarity,

Ashley, Carol, Aatikah, Jim, Sandy, D’Arcy, Nilisha

Students’ Union UCL Sabbatical Officers 2019-20

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Signatories