Please read this article for a response from your Sabbatical Officers on the university strikes.
Starting this week, the biggest university strike will take place across the UK over pay, working conditions and pensions. This action is also backed by the National Union of Students (NUS).
Over 70,000 staff that are part of University and College union (UCU) will take part across 150 universities, including University of Wolverhampton.
The full strike dates in November are:
- Thursday 24 November
- Friday 25 November
- Wednesday 30 November
Why is this happening?
Last month UCU members voted 'yes' to industrial action in 2 national ballots over pay, working conditions and pension cuts.
Over pay and working conditions disputes, the union sought a meaningful pay rise for its members in-line with inflation linked to the cost of living crisis. This follows a 3% pay rise offer from employers which is well below inflation, and at a backdrop of a decade’s worth of below inflation pay offers. A third of academic staff are also on temporary contracts, which the union also wants to see come to an end.
In a dispute over pensions, the union seeks employers to reverse cuts made earlier this year which saw a 35% reduction from the guaranteed future retirement income.
You can read more about why the strikes are taking place here.
What does this mean for you
During the planned strikes it may mean there is disruption to your timetable and your learning, but the Students’ Union will work closely with the university to make sure we remain open and limit disruption in any way we can.
A statement from your Sabbatical Officers
“The Students’ Union stands in support of the University and College Union (UCU) staff taking strike action this month. We are in constant dialogue with the University to ensure that steps are put in place to ensure that this action has minimal impact on the student experience. Working alongside them to ensure that support is provided for those that need it. We appreciate many questions are being asked at this moment in time, we want to reassure all of you as our students that we are doing all that we possibly can to gain clarity and answers on your behalf. If you have any questions regarding this statement how we can support you during the strike period, please do not hesitate to contact us”
?
Contact your Sabbatical Officers
President, Tayabah Mahmood
email: uwsupresident@wlv.ac.uk
Vice President of Community, Bisola Olatunji
email: uwsucommunity@wlv.ac.uk
Vice President of Academic Studies, Gagandeep Kaur
email: uwsuacademic@wlv.ac.uk