UCU striking for better work conditions for teachers
Feature image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons
The University and College Union (UCU) have paused strikes in an effort to push negotiations forwards in the journey to better conditions for teachers.
The union decided on 18 days of strike in January as an escalation to put pressure on the negotiating bodies and vice chancellors.
The President of the UCU, Janet Farrar, said: “We wanted an escalation of strike action that would be impactful and give us the leverage we needed.”
“It had to be big and it had to be bold.”
There have been escalations and drawbacks since January when the strikes for this term were announced in the negotiations.
This has left staff more determined as they continue and students have joined on picket lines throughout strike action during the last few weeks.
Farrar said: “These things can get knocked off track by things that come out of nowhere.”
“I’m hopeful but I’m a glass half full at the moment.”
President Janet Farrar on the strikes
Feature video: Naomi Aldridge
The UCU are still in negotiations through Acas with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) through General Secretary Jo Grady.
A reballot has been launched for UCU members to extend the union’s mandate to take further industrial action.
Grady said: “I can say that we are making progress across a range of subjects at Acas and will bring you more information on that as those talks come to a natural conclusion.”
An additional day of striking has been added to focus employers' minds as negotiations draw to a close and keep pressure on talks.
The UCU have planned more dates of strike in March, with five more days and with March 15 as the new date.
Grady said: “Vote yes in the reballot.”
“The big thing we have as a lever is our strike action but also the potential for us to deliver 6 months worth of action across every university in the UK.”
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