The UK university sector is “cannibalising” itself, but staff should not have to pay the price for “bad management decisions”, according to the head of the University and College Union (UCU) as she seeks re-election in a year when industrial relations are again likely to take centre stage.
General secretary Jo Grady told Times Higher Education that UCU was ready to “robustly protect education” as universities across the country looked to shed jobs, but she dismissed the idea that the financial trouble many institutions were now mired in would prevent staff from making progress on key issues such as pay, precarious contracts and unmanageable workloads.
Entering fresh talks with employers without being able to strike after a vote to extend industrial action failed, Dr Grady said 2024 would provide a moment for the union to take stock and develop a strategy to win after five years on a “ballot treadmill”.
But she did not rule out further disruption on UK campuses, including repeating the controversial marking and assessment boycott, if members felt it was necessary to do so.
