UK university staff have returned to the picket lines after a controversial pause in their strike action, showing little belief that an end to the disputes was close, despite both sides claiming progress in negotiations.
The 15 March strike – timed to coincide with the government’s budget and industrial action being carried out by teachers, junior doctors and Tube workers – marked the start of six consecutive days of University and College Union (UCU) walkouts, the longest stint of the campaign so far.
It came at a crucial time for the union – which was balloting members again to extend the mandate for action into the summer assessment period – and had just agreed the terms of reference for detailed negotiations with employers, covering a review of the UK HE pay spine, workloads, contract types and equality pay gaps. Members said they wanted to send a message to the employers that they were determined to “see the dispute through”.
But some have speculated that a decision to cancel strikes in February to allow for intensive talks to take place had harmed momentum and the union’s negotiating position. Questions have also been raised over the union’s tactics, especially claims about large reserves at a time when some universities were struggling financially.
