[Updated 18/1/23]
Following a meeting of the University and College Union’s (UCU’s) Higher Education Committee (HEC) on Thursday 12 January, the UCU has announced plans for a further 18 days of strike action to take place in February and March. This may impact teaching in some areas of the University in a similar way to the strikes that took place last semester.
This action is regarding the ongoing dispute in relation to pay, pensions and working conditions that UCU members voted to take strike action on, back in October 2022.
The first of these strike days has now been confirmed as Wednesday 1 February. We will of course be preparing all mitigation measures to minimise any disruption. To find out more about the strike action and how it may affect you, see our strike action information for students.
You may have read about earlier plans for a marking and assessment boycott to take place during the upcoming exam period, but this will not now be the case. UCU has suggested that option may be revisited in April, but no firm decision has yet been made about this future action. Please rest assured that even if this kind of action was taken, it would not prevent you from progressing through your studies or indeed, graduating.
We understand that these are difficult and challenging times, and are taking active steps to support both our staff and our students.
We understand how important pay, employment conditions and pensions are to colleagues – we take their views and concerns very seriously. Pay and the USS pension agreements are negotiated nationally, by UCEA and UUK respectively. We are therefore unable to make changes at a local level: however, as with all HEIs, we input into these national discussions and decisions.
As always, we will do everything we can to minimise any impact of strike action on students and will keep you updated with any further developments or information as we receive it.
What is the UCU?
The University and College Union is the trade union body representing both academic and support staff, working across universities, colleagues and other education and training organisations. UCU members at Manchester include both lecturers and other staff involved in university life, such as those who work in the Library, and elsewhere across campus.