Industrial action will be taking place from Thursday 22 February so we would like to ensure that our students and staff have as much information and support as we are able to provide you during this time.
We understand that this is an uncertain time, so there are 10 points we would like you to be aware of:
- The University will remain open throughout the periods of industrial action, and we do expect the majority of teaching and learning activity to proceed as usual.
- The dates for industrial action are 22 – 23 February and 26 – 28 February, 5 – 8 March and 12 – 16 March. ‘Action short of a strike’*, where University and College Union (UCU) members are asked by the UCU to work to contract, will run from 22 February to 18 June 2018.
- Please assume that lectures, seminars and classes are taking place as previously planned, unless students are notified otherwise.
- Students should continue to submit assignments to existing deadlines.
- Faculties and professional services will continually monitor and assess any impact on students so they can agree plans with them, if required, to recover any disrupted learning activities and ensure assessment deadlines remain appropriate. The University has arrangements in place for dealing with academic matters that arise as a consequence of industrial action, including consideration of how such actions might impact on assessment.
- Staff who are considering strike action are legally not under any obligation to tell their managers in advance. Where we do have advance notice from colleagues, faculties will try to inform students ahead of time, although this may not always be possible. Lecturers may of course give students advance notice themselves.
- This is a moving process so we have set up a Frequently Asked Questions page that we are updating regularly as new information becomes available, and in response to any new questions that arise.
- We will be providing general information via SUSSED News, and through our Student Communications Facebook and WhatsApp channels (more information on the channels below).
- Information specific to students and their course will be provided by their faculty Student Office or academic unit when appropriate, for example, if there is any variation to their academic schedule.
- Do keep in mind that there is a variety of support services available to our students and staff. You can find a full list of services in this SUSSED post.
We will be continuing to update our community throughout the industrial action so recommend that you check the channels listed in point 8 regularly.
Stay up to date
Our Student Communications Team will be sharing information about industrial action on SUSSED, Facebook and WhatsApp News. Sign up by messaging the team within the app on Tel. +44 (0)7733 000 781 with the types of communications you’d like to receive out of: ‘News’ ‘Events’ and ‘Opportunities’.
Industrial action information will be communicated through the ‘News’ category.
*Action short of a strike will consist of participating members working to contract, which means not covering for absent colleagues, not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action, not covering some specialist services and not undertaking any voluntary activities.
Helpful links for students and staff:
- Student Frequently Asked Questions
- All SUSSED posts about Industrial Action
- Email from the Vice-Chancellor to students
- Email from the Vice-Chancellor to staff