Colleagues and students will be aware that UCU, UNISON and Unite have indicated an intention for their members to take strike action on 31 October. This follows ballots in respect of the 2013 pay award. This action will affect university campuses across the UK.
Guidance for students
The University will endeavour to maintain the excellent education and experience it provides to its students. However, we recognise that during industrial action it is inevitable that there will be some disruptions to teaching and services. It is recommended that students should come to University as normal unless they receive an alternative message from their faculty.
If known in advance, changes to teaching timetables will be communicated to you via email from your faculty and will be posted on Sussed.
On the day, there may be some last minute changes for which we cannot provide advance warning: guidance will be provided locally from your faculty’s Student Office.
If there are disruptions to students’ teaching timetables this will be taken into account in your assessments and students will not be disadvantaged.
Please ensure that you check Sussed for further updates.
Guidance for staff
The University respects the right of union members to take such action but it is hoped that support for our students will be a major consideration on this day. Although union members are not obliged to inform the University, managers are asking staff to kindly make them aware of their intentions in order that alternative arrangements for student or external facing activities can be made as required.
The University’s policy on withholding pay in such circumstances is set out at http://southampton.likn.co/hr/services/withholding_pay/how_do_i.php. USS contributions will be maintained for this day so that there is no risk of a break in pensionable service for individuals involved in the action.