More strikes are set to disrupt UK universities at the start of the next academic year, with little sign of long-running industrial action being resolved.
The University and College Union (UCU) said its higher education committee has backed further action – and to continue its marking boycott – while it makes preparations to hold a reballot that could extend the dispute into 2024.
Exact dates for nationwide strikes in September have yet to be announced but will likely impact welcome weeks and the first days of term for a new cohort of students.
It is after UCU action severely disrupted the end of the last academic year, when the boycott left thousands of students unable to graduate as planned due to delays receiving their final grades. Members participating in this action have been hit with large pay deductions with universities enforcing a strict line on partial performance.
The higher education minister Robert Halfon has written to UCU and employer body the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) to urge them to work towards resolving the impasse after further talks last month broke down without agreement.
