University and College Union

University staff to vote on UK-wide strikes over pay

Over 65,000 University and College Union (UCU) members working in universities will be balloted for strike action after employers refused to up their pay rise offer of 1.4%, which represents a 3% real-terms pay cut. The union said the move follows more than a decade of “vicious attacks” on the…

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Dundee university staff re-balloted over jobs dispute

Staff at the University of Dundee are being re-balloted on industrial action as a dispute over jobs and management enters its 11th month. The University and College Union (UCU) opened a new ballot on 5 September, which will run until 6 October. Trade union law requires mandates for industrial action…

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University of Liverpool relaxes hybrid working plans after strike action

The University and College Union (UCU) has welcomed the University of Liverpool’s decision to cancel plans to force staff onto campus three days a week as part of hybrid working proposals. The union said the university’s management had tried to mandate professional services staff onto campus for 60% of their…

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Strike ballot opens at University of Leicester over redundancies dispute

The University and College Union (UCU) has opened a ballot for strike action at the University of Leicester following a dispute over university leadership’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies in the upcoming academic year. Staff  in a number of academic departments, including chemistry, history, geography, film studies and modern…

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University of Surrey halts outsourcing plans amid union pressure

The University of Surrey has dropped plans to outsource all new professional services roles following pressure from campus unions. The University and College Union (UCU), alongside Unite and Unison, welcomed the decision, which came after a formal trade dispute and a petition signed by more than 1,000 people. University management…

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UK not on track to meet green skills targets, UCU warns

The University and College Union (UCU) has said its latest report on green skills is a “wake up call” if the UK is to deliver the workforce required for achieving a net-zero economy by 2030. The Green Gap report, commissioned by UCU and carried out by Students Organising for Sustainability…

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Staff at Warrington and Vale Royal College back strike in pay dispute

Some 94% of staff at Warrington and Vale Royal College have voted in favour of strike action in a University and College Union (UCU) ballot with a turnout of 75%. The vote reflects frustration over a pay freeze in place since 1 August 2024. The college is the only one…

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UWS staff begin strike ballot over job cuts

Staff at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) will begin voting on potential industrial action in response to job cuts and senior management’s refusal to rule out compulsory redundancies. Members of the University and College Union (UCU) are being asked whether they support strike action and action short…

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Staff vote for strike action at Truro and Penwith College over job cuts

Staff at Truro and Penwith College have voted to strike in protest against planned redundancies and concerns over student provision. In a ballot held last week, 82% of participating members of the University and College Union (UCU) backed strike action, surpassing the 50% turnout threshold required by law. The dispute…

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Newcastle University staff to rally amid ongoing strike action

University and College Union (UCU) members are today (11 June) set to hold a strike rally to protest against plans to cut hundreds of jobs at Newcastle University. The demonstration coincides with the 37th day of strike action by university staff, who are opposing management’s intention to begin compulsory redundancies…

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