Dear colleagues,
University and College Union (UCU) have announced additional strike action over pay, workload, casualisation, equality and the USS Pension Scheme on 15 March 2023.
This means that the current strike days announced are as follows:
- Wednesday 15 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. As previously communicated, 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 form for doing so is 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 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22 March – deductions will be made from April payroll. Please return the notification of strike action form by 24 March.
As a reminder, 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.
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.
A further update on the national negotiations will be provided in due course and the University remains hopeful that matters can be resolved through these to avert further disruption to our students.
Further information:
Best wishes
Karl
Karl Leydecker
Senior Vice-Principal