Dear colleagues,
University and College Union (UCU) have announced strike action over pay, workload, casualisation, equality and the USS Pension Scheme on the dates below.
- Thursday 9 February
- Friday 10 February
- Tuesday 14 February
- Wednesday 15 February
- Thursday 16 February
- Tuesday 21 February
- Wednesday 22 February
- Thursday 23 February
- Monday 27 February
- Tuesday 28 February
- Wednesday 1 March
- Thursday 2 March
- Thursday 16 March
- Friday 17 March
- Monday 20 March
- Tuesday 21 March
- Wednesday 22 March
The University will remain open for business as normal during the period of dispute. If you participate in the strike action you are asked to notify your Head of School/Section in line with the timetable set out below, copying in Human Resources. The forms for doing so are available below. I am obliged to advise that taking part in strike action is in breach of your contract of employment and a day’s pay will be withheld from your salary for the day(s) affected.
The level withheld will be calculated at 1/365th of annual salary per day. It has been agreed that pay deductions for the strike days will be made as detailed below.
For those participating on strike days falling on 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 February – deductions will be made from March payroll. Please return the notification of strike action form by 24 February.
For those participating on strike days falling on 27, 28 February, 1, 2, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 March – deductions will be made from April payroll. Please return the notification of strike action form by 24 March.
It has also been agreed that the University will continue to pay employer contributions to participating USS scheme members, and that employee pension contributions will be deducted as normal, regardless of any reduction in salary as a result of strike action. This will ensure continuity of pension scheme membership and benefits.
If you are absent due to sickness on the day(s) of industrial action, you must follow the normal absence reporting procedure. Requests for annual leave should be submitted in the normal manner.
I am aware that staff may also be impacted by closure of schools as a result of strike action. If this impacts on you, please discuss with your Head of School / Section. I can provide assurances that flexibility will be provided for staff where they are not able to attend work as a result and this may include working from home where possible, or by using the Special Leave provisions agreed earlier this year.
In preparation for industrial action and to minimise the impact on our student experience, I have asked Heads of School/Section to advise of any anticipated operational difficulties. It would be helpful if you could let your Head of School/Section know in advance if you do intend to take action, recognising you are not required to do so.
The University recognises the right of trade union members to take industrial action and we expect there will be a number of peaceful picket lines across campus.
We are increasingly concerned about the effect of the strike action on the experience of our students and we strongly wish to maintain constructive talks and positive working relations with Aberdeen UCU throughout this national dispute. We hope that a resolution to the dispute can be found in the coming days.
Further information:
Best wishes
Karl
Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice-Principal