Over 150 UK Universities have been impacted by strike action and ASOS (Action Short of Strike) this academic year. UCU has announced a marking and assessment boycott over pay, working conditions and pension cuts
MARKING AND ASSESSMENT BOYCOTT
The marking and assessment boycott (MAB) begins on Thursday 20th April. UCU members in higher education institutes which are part of the pay and working conditions dispute will be encouraged to stop marking and associated assessment activities/duties. UCU Statement on MAB:
You can find the University's FAQs specifically about the Marking and Assessment Boycott here.
Below are some FAQ's that should answer most questions around industrial action, if you need any more information about the strikes please contact Scott Anderson at Union.President@hw.ac.uk
WHO ARE UCU?
The University and College Union (UCU) are the nationwide trade union representing over 130,000 academic and support staff within Universities and Colleges.
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
In the pay and working conditions dispute, the UCU's demands include a meaningful pay rise to deal with the cost-of-living crisis and action to end the use of insecure contracts. Employers imposed a pay rise worth just 3% this year following over a decade of below inflation pay awards. A third of academic staff are on some form of temporary contract.
In the pension dispute, UCU is demanding employers revoke the cuts and restore benefits. The package of cuts made earlier this year will see the average UCU member lose 35% from their guaranteed future retirement income. For those at the beginning of their careers the losses are in the hundreds of thousands of pounds.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said UCU members do not want to strike but are doing so to save the sector and win dignity at work. This dispute has the mass support of students because they know their learning conditions are our member's working conditions.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION?
Here are some of the ways you can support staff on Industrial Action:
Make a complaint to the University about the disruption - you can find the University's complaints procedure here.
Be supportive of staff taking this decision, 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 at them.
If you understand the dispute, educate others - tell your friends, peers and classmates the reasons behind the decision as many won't see past the disruption.
DOES THE STUDENT UNION SUPPORT THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION?
Yes. A motion to support the UCU Industrial Action was passed at our Annual General Meeting and was supported by a student vote on our website.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
It is difficult to predict how you will be affected. UCU represents a number of staff across a variety of academic and professional services roles, but not all staff at Heriot-Watt are members.
Staff who choose to strike or ASOS do not have to tell Heriot Watt of their intention beforehand and they may not commit to all 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 might also find that offices and student support services are not fully staffed on strike days. There may also be a delay to receiving feedback/grades on coursework and assessment.
You may see a picket line of UCU members at the entrances to campus. Staff may ask you not to cross their picket line, but they aren't allowed to prevent you from entering buildings.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY LEARNING IS AFFECTED?
You do not need to submit a mitigating circumstances form as Heriot-Watt have information about the impact of the strike on your classes. This includes exams and coursework assessment.
There is no need to apply for Mitigating Circumstances for any industrial action, even if your supervisor has not been around due to striking
For more support on the above or any other academic problem, our Advice Hub is here to help. You can find out more about Heriot-Watt's Mitigating Circumstances policy here.
WILL STUDENT UNION BUILDINGS AND SERVICES BE OPEN?
Yes, the Student Union building, Libertys café, Geordie's bar and The Shop will still be open and we'll be providing a space for staff who are striking to get a hot drink. If you arrive on campus to find your lecture cancelled, you can use our spaces to study.
CAN I STILL ATTEND / RUN A CLUB OR SOCIETY EVENT DURING THE STRIKE?
Yes. The strikes are unlikely to impact your events. The Student Union building will be open as usual.
WILL I BE PENALISED FOR MISSING A CLASS BECAUSE I CHOSE NOT TO CROSS THE PICKET LINE?
You should not be penalised if you miss class because you have chosen not to cross the picket line. We are confirming information for students on Tier 4 visas.
WHAT IF I HAVE A TIER 4 VISA?
As long as you are meeting the conditions of your visa, you should be okay! Check with the Visa, Advice and Compliance team through your Student Portal.
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES - WHAT CAN I DO IF THE STRIKE AFFECTS MY LEARNING?
You do not need to submit a mitigating circumstances form as Heriot-Watt 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 Hub is here to help
You can find out more about Heriot-Watt's Mitigating Circumstances policy here.
HOW CAN YOU FIND OUT WHETHER YOUR CLASSES ARE AFFECTED?
As far as possible your department will try to tell you about changes to the teaching schedule through the usual channels, but please remember that individual staff do not have to tell Heriot-Watt in advance.
Throughout the period of industrial action, you should
- Keep a close eye on your Heriot-Watt emails and look out for Canvas 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 HERIOT-WATT?
A picket line is a boundary established by staff who are on strike.
This usually looks like a number of staff standing outside entrances to campus or buildings. Other staff and students will be asked not to cross these picket lines, as to do so could 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 PARTICIPATING IN INDUSTRIAL ACTION GET PAID?
When staff go on strike they forfeit their pay. This is a hugely difficult decision for staff to make.
The money that Heriot-Watt University doesn't pay to staff due to industrial action is often put into Student Experience Fund which will be used to support students. The University is also withholding 50% of staff's pay who are participating in the Marking and Assessment Boycott.