Tuesday 29-10-2013 - 11:22

On the 31st October, three Higher Education trade unions (UCU, UNISON and Unite) will be taking industrial action over the issue of fair pay for staff working in the HE sector. While Winchester Student Union is supportive of lecturers and other staff at our University and agree that they should feel properly supported and compensated, we are also aware of the impact that industrial action has on our students and must ensure that they equally feel supported and represented at this time.

For students whose lecturers are not striking, your lectures will take place as stated in your module handbooks and timetables. For students whose lecturers are on strike, your lectures will not be presented as planned.  Although we have encouraged many lecturers and staff to contact you, we cannot guarantee that all students will be reached and ask that students take the time to contact their lecturers to confirm whether their scheduled lectures/seminars will be effected.  Staff will be picketing on King Alfred Campus and West Downs Campus. If you approach a picket line to enter a specific building, you may be approached by staff members who wish to speak to you regarding the strike. You might wish to engage in conversation with them but if you wish to just pass the picket line, please do so respectfully and you should not be prevented from passing. Members of the Student Union Executive Team will be on campus observing the Strike so please feel free to approach an SU Officer if have you any questions regarding the day’s events.

Due to the nature of the strike, any student with an assessment deadline on the 31st October has a one day extension to the 1st November. If you have any concerns regarding your academic work please contact Tom.Lowe@winchester.ac.uk (VP Education), or for any more information regarding the strike please contact Sophie.Farmer@winchester.ac.uk (SU President).