Industrial Action 2018

In this section you can find links to all communications issued regarding the industrial action in response to potential reform of USS Pension benefits.  

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions Relating to 2018 Action

Questions specific to this round of industrial action can be found below.  Additional generic questions on industrial action are available here.

What action has been called?

Both strike action and action short of a strike have been called.

What form will the action short of a strike take?

The action short of a strike may consist of:

  • Working to contract
  • Not covering for absent colleagues
  • Not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action
  • Not undertaking any voluntary activities.

On which dates will the strike action occur?

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that it is asking members to take part in 14 days of strike action over a four week period commencing on 22 February as follows:

February

  • Thursday 22, Friday 23, Monday 26, Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 February 2018 

March

  • Monday 5, Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, Monday 12, Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 March 2018

What happens after 19 March?

If there is no resolution to the dispute by 19 March (the final planned day of strike action is currently the Friday 16 March) the union may call for further industrial action. We are hopeful that our request for further talks will be heeded by then and that a resolution will be reached that is acceptable to all parties.

On which dates will any action short of a strike occur?

The action short of a strike is intended to be continuous from Thursday 22 February 2018, terminating no later than Tuesday 19 June 2018.

Which Trade Unions are involved?

Action has been called by The University and College Union (UCU). No other unions are involved in this action. 

If I participate in the upcoming strike action, how much of my pay will be deducted?

The University has agreed with UCU that on this occasion any salary deduction will be calculated as follows:

  • Full-time members of staff: a deduction equivalent to a daily rate of 1/365th of annual salary for each day of strike action. 
  • Part-time members of staff: a proportional deduction equivalent to contractual hours that should have been worked on each day of strike action.

If I participate in the upcoming strike action, when can I expect the deductions to be made from my pay?

Due to the extended nature of the potential action, the timing of any deductions will depend on the point at which staff confirm, via the notification form, that they have participated. As outlined in David Duncan’s recent communication, in the interests of maintaining our effective employee relations culture deductions will be made over a three month period.

Individuals may choose to declare their participation more than once, following different periods of action and this will affect the timing of any deductions. For example: 

  • For strike action between 22-28 February inclusive, forms must be submitted by 8th March for deductions to be made from the March Payroll
  • For strike action between 5-8 March inclusive, forms must be submitted by 23rd March and deductions will be made from the April payroll
  • For strike action taken between 12-16 March inclusive, forms must be submitted by 30th March and deductions will be made from the May payroll.

If staff would prefer their deduction to be taken in less than three lots, they should speak to their local HR Team in the first instance. 

It must be noted that all striking staff must declare their strike action, regardless of the combination in which they do it. 

You can find detailed information on the action in the letter issued to all in scope staff on this web page above. A copy of the amended form, which reflects the updated dates for deductions, is also available above.

Where can I find further information?

Further information, including additional Frequently Asked Questions for both staff and students, is available externally, on the Universities UK website.

Where can I find information for students?

Frequently asked questions have been created for students, and can be accessed here

If I am on strike on a day when the University is closed will I still have pay deducted?

Pay deductions will be made for all days where a member of staff confirms that they are taking, or have taken, strike action and therefore not available for work.

In the event of University closure on a strike day, for whatever reason, e.g. fire, flood and other events outside of the control of members of staff, the University will deduct pay from members of staff confirmed as on strike, and hence not available for work, in accordance with formally notified approach for the industrial action.