UCU: union’s own staff to strike for five days

Staff members at the University and College Union (UCU) have announced five days of strikes over accusations of racism, breaches of collective agreements and broken industrial relations.

Workers at the UK’s largest higher education union are calling for an independent investigation into institutional racism and how the organisation is run.

After voting overwhelmingly to strike last month, the Unite union – which represents UCU staff – has announced that industrial action will begin in a few weeks’ time.

In a statement, the Unite UCU branch said that it had notified its employer of its intention to down tools and begin action short of a strike after there was “no tangible movement” in the dispute.

“Acas talks continue, but the resolutions we need are not being met by the employer,” it posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“There’s still time for our employer to do the right thing. If not, we intend to take strike action.”

A Times Higher Education report previously revealed allegations of a “culture of fear” in the workplace, amid claims that black staff members were victimised and discriminated against.

Unite members will also begin action short of strike action on 26 June, which will include a ban on working overtime and members “working to rule”.

The strikes will take place on 26 June, 1 July, 3 July, 10 July and 11 July.

Four of those dates purposefully coincide with briefings that Jo Grady, UCU general secretary, had planned to “engage” with members on the development of her plans for her second term. Ms Grady, narrowly re-elected in March, has often been singled out for criticism by the Unite UCU branch.

The five days follow Unite’s first day of strike action on 30 May, which led to the cancellation of two sector conferences during UCU’s annual congress in Bournemouth. Unite said it was “disgraceful” that UCU management allowed the union’s democratic functions to be disrupted rather than enter meaningful talks.

A Unite spokesperson said it had escalated the dispute to “really focus the minds of senior managers on the fact that their staff need real change”.

“We are determined to bring about the change that UCU staff and UCU members so desperately deserve. It’s time to reclaim UCU,” they added.

UCU said its management outlined proposals for consideration in a recent meeting, and both sides agreed to meet again to take discussions forward.

“We are committed to ongoing talks to find solutions and create the best possible working environment for our staff,” a spokesperson added.

“We remain hopeful that a positive outcome will be achieved and are disappointed that mentions of further strike action have been made before further agreed discussions have taken place.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com