On Monday 29 January the University and Colleges Union (UCU) announced that its members across the UK had been asked to support fourteen days of strike action plus action short of a strike, in relation to the proposed changes to the USS pension. The planned dates for action will commence on Thursday 22 February.*
The University is disappointed that the Union is considering this action because of the obvious impact it is designed to have on students’ education and progression. We are working with SUSU and other colleagues throughout the University to put in place the arrangements necessary to ensure that our students are not disadvantaged by any industrial action and continue to receive a world-class education at Southampton.
The University respects the right of trade union members to take industrial action, but hopes that support for our students and other University activities will be a major consideration when members are deciding whether or not to participate. For those members of UCU that do decide to participate we will be providing clear policies so that you can understand the implications to your pay and pensions.
For the large majority of colleagues who are not involved in this action, mitigating plans are being established within faculties and co-ordinated by a working group chaired by the Vice-President Education.
In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns relating to HR issues please contact AskHR (email: [email protected] or call Ext. 27547). For other issues, please speak with your line manager.
You can read our Vice-Chancellor’s open letter to staff about the proposed changes to the USS pension scheme here.
We’ll be regularly reporting on the proposed strike action as new information becomes available. You can read all related posts here.
* The planned dates for strike action are:
- February 22, 23, 26, 27, 28
- March 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Action short of a strike will consist of participating members working to contract, not covering for absent colleagues, not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action, and not undertaking any voluntary activities. It will take place from Thursday 22 February to no later than Monday 18 June 2018.
