Students Guide to UCU strike action on 10th May 2012
What is the strike?
The University and College Union (UCU), who represent university and college academic staff in both FE and HE, will take strike action on the 10th May.
Trade Union members are striking over the government’s planned changes to public sector pensions which will mean those who work in the public sector will have to pay more into their pensions, work for longer and receive less when they do retire.
This strike is a continuation of public sector workers fight against the planned changes to their pensions. On the 24th March and 30th November 2011 academics across the country held a day of strike action, which UCA Student’s Union supported.
UCA Students’ Union statement of support
UCASU have decided, after consulting with Student Councils to support the strike and to support any UCA staff member who decides to strike on the 10th May.
Members of the SU Executive will be joining the picket lines at their respective campuses in order to show support for the strike.
UCASU also fully supports any students who wish to take peaceful action to demonstrate support for the strike action.
Why we support the strike action
Staff across UCA wholly supported students in November 2010 to protest against tuition fees. Tutors did not expect students to make up the sessions missed due to attendance at the student protests. We are also supporting the strike as any changes to public sector pensions and an increase in the retirement age may directly affect our students in later life. Therefore, it is right for UCASU provide full support for University staff at this time.
Our concerns
As a Students’ Union we were originally concerned that our student’s education would be adversely affected as a result of the strike. However, NUS are working continually with trade unions to ensure minimum disruption to students. The University have stated that course teams will inform students directly if there are any changes to timetabling as a result of the action being taken.
Any staff who strike have a day’s pay deducted from their wages, this money will be used to reschedule key teaching sessions which were cancelled due to the strike. Any monies left will be put into the Student Experience Creative Fund.
How will the strike affect me?
The University have stated that ‘the campuses will remain open as usual and there will be full access to library facilities. We aim to carry out teaching as normal where possible, but the University can not predict the extent of this action, nor the disruption it may cause.
Course teams will inform students directly if there are any changes to timetabling as a result of the action being taken.’
We will keep students updated if we are provided with any further information.
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