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The national University and College Union (UCU) has announced that industrial action will take place inÌýa number ofÌýuniversities across the UKÌýfrom 21 February to support a dispute about payÌýand pensions.ÌýAtÌýÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø,Ìýstaff will be striking over pay withÌýfive days of strike action across two weeks,ÌýalongsideÌýa period of continuous ‘action short of strike’Ìý(ASoS).ÌýUCU has met all the legal requirements for calling lawfulÌýindustrial action.ÌýNot all Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø staff are membersÌýof the unionÌýand not everyone will be impacted by theÌýstrike or ASoS.ÌýÌý

You can find out more about what this meansÌýfor you below.ÌýÌý

When will the industrial action take place?

• Strike action will take place on Monday 21 February – Tuesday 22 February, and Monday 28 February – Wednesday 2 March 2022Ìý
• Action short of strike isÌýplannedÌýtoÌýrun continuously, startingÌýon 1 December 2021 andÌýfinishingÌýno later thanÌý3 May 2022ÌýÌý

What does strike action mean?ÌýÌýÌý

Strike action is whenÌýstaffÌýrefuse toÌýwork.ÌýAt universities, this includesÌýnotÌýdoing any work-related activity, such as teaching students, marking coursework, undertaking research, attending meetings, sending emails related to work and carrying out administrative tasks. It also includes not preparingÌýfor workÌýscheduled afterÌýtheÌýmember returns from strike.ÌýÌý

Striking staffÌýmay create a picket lineÌýby standingÌýoutside their workplaceÌýto tell people why they areÌýtaking part in industrial actionÌýand ask them not to cross the line.ÌýÌýÌý

What is action short of strikeÌý(ASoS)?ÌýÌýÌý

Action short of strike is when staffÌýtake other action,Ìýsuch asÌýlimiting someÌýwork-relatedÌýactivities.ÌýUCU hasÌýconfirmedÌýthat theÌýplannedÌýaction short of strikeÌýwill consist of staff only working their contracted hours and duties and not volunteering to do more.ÌýÌýÌý

What does this mean for me?ÌýÌýÌý

It is difficult to predict the impact of this period of industrial action.ÌýÌýÌýÌý

On the five strike days, your classes and lectures could be cancelled. You may also find that libraries, offices and support services are closed or not fully staffed and so opening times and services might change at short notice. When you are on campus, you may see picket lines made up of striking staff outside Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø buildings. They may be handing out information and they may ask you not to cross their picket line. ÌýÌý

Striking staff on picket lines are not allowed to prevent students or any staff who are not taking part in the strike from coming onto campus or entering any Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø buildings. Although picket lines can sometimes appear intimidating, it is important to remember that the staff on strike have no grievance with you, their students, and they will fully respect your right to go about your business as usual. If you feel at all intimidated by picketers, please inform Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Security by calling 222 from a Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø phone or +44 (0)20 7679 2222 from a mobile.ÌýAdditionally, please visitÌýÌýto report any inappropriateÌýbehaviour.Ìý

How can you find out whether your classes are affected?ÌýÌý

Striking staff do not have to tell Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø in advance of their intention to strike, but your department will try to inform you about changes to the teaching schedule through the usual channels,Ìýi.e.Ìýemail and Moodle.ÌýÌý

Throughout the period of action, you should:ÌýÌý

• Keep a close eye on your Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø emails and look out for Moodle page announcements. 
• Stay informed by following the links in this update and looking out for announcements in the media.ÌýÌý

What support is available if I miss out on teaching due to staff taking part in industrial action?

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø will try to minimise the disruption to your learning as much as possible. We are working with departments to ensure adequate support is made available for you to meet your learning outcomes where your teaching is affected by industrial action.Ìý

Further information and supportÌýÌý

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø is committed to supportingÌýstudentsÌýduring this period, with a range of services available. A moreÌýdetailed list of FAQsÌýcan be found on the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø Students website.ÌýÌý

Please contactÌýstudent-industrialaction@ucl.ac.ukÌýif you have further questions that cannot be answeredÌýby your department.ÌýÌý

If youÌýare worried about the impactÌýindustrial actionÌýmightÌýhave on yourÌýmental health and wellbeing, Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø's Support and WellbeingÌýteamÌýprovidesÌýa safe, confidential and non-judgemental spaceÌýforÌýyouÌýtoÌýdiscuss any issues that concern or affect you. ÌýÌý

To find out more andÌýget in touch,Ìýplease visit theÌýSupport and WellbeingÌýwebpages or contact us throughÌýaskÏã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø.ÌýÌý

You can also find out what Students’ Union Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²ÊÖÐÌØÍø is doing to support students during this period of industrial action .Ìý