Email to staff 28 January 2022

Dear colleagues and postgraduate researchers,

The national University and College Union (UCU) has announced that a further round of industrial action will take place in universities across the UK in the form of ten days of action in addition to the ongoing action short of a strike.

Strike dates announced are as follows:

• Week 1: Monday 14 to Friday 18 February 2022 (5 days)
• Week 2: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 February 2022 (2 days)
• Week 3: Monday 28 February, Tuesday 1 March and Wednesday 2 March (3 days)

The action short of strike already notified remains in place. To remind colleagues this includes:

• Only working contracted hours and duties and not volunteering to do more (from 1 December 2021).
• Not rescheduling classes and lectures cancelled due to strike action (from 21 December 2021).
• Not covering for absent colleagues (from 5 January 2022).
• Removing uploaded materials related to, and/or not sharing materials related to, lectures or classes that will be or have been cancelled as a result of strike action (from 5 January 2022).

This continues to be a challenging time for colleagues, students and the University, and as I have stated previously there will undoubtedly be differences of views within and between departments, and anxieties and concerns coming from our students. I intend to do all I can to make sure we continue to work together respectfully, listen to views and opinions, and offer understanding and support to our student community. 

UCU has also published a new proposal on the USS, and Universities UK (UUK) has responded. UUK will engage with both UCU and Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) Trustees in relation to the UCU proposal, which we understand will be discussed at the Joint Negotiating Committee on Tuesday next week.

We will provide a further update for both staff and students, together with updates to the industrial action page, next week when we have further information on the Joint Negotiating Committee meeting.

With best wishes

Charlie