A messy dispute over the future direction of industrial action across UK universities is set to be resolved, although strongly held views on either side mean the row is likely to have long-reaching repercussions.
The University and College Union’s higher education committee (HEC) will meet on 12 January to finalise a strategy for strikes and other forms of industrial action covering the crucial period between now and when the union’s mandate for action expires in April.
Those who have argued for a period of “escalating action” – led by the union’s general secretary, Jo Grady – have been buoyed by the backing of delegates from UCU branches who voted at a meeting on 10 January to support “days of action” in February, March and April. This won the support of 57 per cent of branches, compared with the 31 per cent who favoured calling an “indefinite strike”.
A marking and assessment boycott – originally pencilled in for 23 January – could also now be moved to April after another indicative vote showed that delegates preferred this option by 56 per cent to 26 per cent.
