Update: Further UCU Action
Wednesday 30-04-2014 - 09:53
As students are aware, some lecturers and staff of the trade unions UCU and Unison have recently been striking over the national issue of fair pay. We have seen three whole day strikes and three two hour strikes so far this academic year.
It has been discussed that further industrial action may be taken, such as lecturers boycotting marking.
This action was due to start on Monday 28th April. UCEA has been in negotiations with UCU and a 2% pay-rise for the academic year 14/15 has been offered. While UCU ballots it’s members on this offer, the marking boycott has been postponed till the 6th May. The University alongside the unions and other organisations are working hard to make sure that a resolution is reached and that a marking boycott is avoided.
Winchester Student Union encourages a positive University experience and one of our strategic themes is to support our member’s education. The Student Union, through student feedback and through feedback from elected student officers believe a higher quality of education would be provided by fairly paid and content lecturers & support staff and therefore, thus far, we have supported UCU & Unisons action to secure fair pay. However, whilst we still agree with lecturer and support staff’s right to fair pay it is our view that withholding marks is far too disruptive and harmful to our members and therefore should the Unions carry out such action, we would withdraw our support.
Please be reassured that we will do everything we can to keep you informed over the coming weeks/months.
If you have any queries or concerns, please get in touch. Email su_president@winchester.ac.uk or su_education@winchester.ac.uk.
Tom Lowe
Vice President, Education
