Notification of Industrial Action by the UCU
Thu, 12 May 2016 02:20:00 BST
Dear Colleagues
The UCU have notified the University that they intend to take strike action on Wednesday 25 May and Thursday 26 May in support of their pay claim.
As you are aware from previous staff notices, I do not share the UCU’s position regarding their dispute on pay. National bargaining inevitably rests on the capacity of the sector to afford pay rises, not an individual institution’s ability to pay. Where inflation pressures remain low and the sector as a whole has significant funding problems, it is unlikely that there will be a national agreement to make substantial uplifts in salary rates across the board. In consequence, any industrial action in this context, aiming for a 5% increase, will I suspect be unsuccessful. More might be achieved by returning to negotiations and attempting to negotiate directly with the Employers’ Association seeking a further increase on their offer of 1.1%.
Our primary concern regarding any strike is the impact on our students. I am confident all staff will work together to manage any local difficulties that may arise on either day. We are in contact with the Students’ Union to discuss concerns that students will naturally have and to ensure that positive relationships between staff and students are maintained. We will try to manage any media enquiries to ensure there is no adverse impact on our future recruitment.
What follows is specific guidance from Human Resources for members of the UCU who intend to take strike action on either or both days. If UCU members have any queries they should contact their union in the first instance.
To UCU Members of Unions intending to take action
This section provides you with information relating to your contract of employment and strike action.
- Any member of staff, who is a member of UCU and does not report to work normally on 25 May and/or 26 May 2016 will be considered ‘on strike’. (Please note that if you are not a member of the UCU you must not take strike action on these days as you would be classed as taking “unofficial action” and do not have the contractual immunities that apply to lawful industrial action).
- Clearly we would want to avoid unnecessary disruption to students, for example travelling in to find classes or meetings cancelled, and would hope you will be able to notify your students of any cancelled lectures, tutorials, meetings etc…either directly or through your head of department.
- As a strike is a breach of contract the University will withhold one day’s pay for every day of strike action taken. In accordance with standard practice, for staff on an annual salary the amount of a day’s pay will be calculated by dividing the annual salary by 52 weeks x 5 days (i.e. 1/260th).
- Staff on strike will also lose superannuation contributions (both employer and employee) for that day which could affect pension benefits. The different pension schemes have different rules regarding strike action and you are urged to seek advice from your trade union before taking action as this may significantly impact upon your benefits.
- If you cannot report for work on either of these days, but are not on strike, you must advise your Dean, Director/Head of Service, or the nominated Reporting Officer(s) in writing and in advance of that day, so your position can be considered. If you are absent on this day due to ill health then normal local sickness absence reporting procedures must be followed.
Professor Bob Cryan
Vice Chancellor
