Words by Georgia-May Keetch

University and College Union (UCU) have confirmed that they are staging a fresh round of strike action, starting from the 20th of February and will continue to the 13th of March.

Seventy four UK universities will take part in the two-week strike, which are largely due to ongoing disputes over pensions, working conditions, pay, equality, and casualisation.

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said:

“We have seen more members back strikes since the winter walkouts and this next wave of action will affect even more universities and students. If universities want to avoid further disruption they need to deal with rising pension costs, and address the problems over pay and conditions.

We have been clear from the outset that we would take serious and sustained industrial action if that was what was needed. As well as the strikes next month, we are going to ballot members to ensure that we have a fresh mandate for further action to cover the rest of the academic year if these disputes are not resolved.”

The strikes are set to take place on the following days:

Week one: Thursday 20 and Friday 21 February

Week two: Monday 24, Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 February

Week three: Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 March

Week four: Monday 9, Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 and Friday 13 March

A spokesperson for Universities UK said:

“We regret that UCU are planning further strike action at a time when positive talks on the future of the pension scheme are making significant progress and are ongoing”.

 

A full list of the universities taking part in the strike has been published here.

Also, check out our interview series from the picket lines of the last UCU Strike at Sussex. Find it here.

The Badger has approached The University of Sussex for comment.

 

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