The University and College Union has backed away from UK-wide strikes scheduled for next week, after two-thirds of campus branches declined to take part.
Lecturers, librarians and technicians at just 42 universities will walk out for five days from Monday, out of the 140 expected to take part when the UCU announced the industrial action earlier this month. A further 10 universities will hold strike action on at least one day next week.
Individual branches were asked if they wanted to take part in the strike action to be held from 25-29 September, which would have coincided with freshers’ week at many universities. However, 89 branches told the union this week they did not.
Two weeks ago the union ended the marking and assessment boycott that had been in place since April, and which had meant that some students were unable to graduate or receive final grades in the summer. Staff taking part had their pay docked.
Jo Grady, the UCU’s general secretary, said: “We have seen many employers do the right thing and agree to stop punitive pay deductions and some have also agreed to return what has been taken.
“We are now urging other vice-chancellors to follow their lead and are calling off strike action at dozens of universities. This will also allow our members to concentrate on winning the reballot and getting the pay and conditions they deserve.
“Renewing our mandate and keeping the pressure on is the way we will win this dispute, but the strike action due to go ahead next week stands as a reminder to all employers that if you behave egregiously, you will face further disruption.”
