Breaking: Nottingham UCU calls off strikes for first week of term

Nottingham UCU has called off the industrial action planned to hit the first week of teaching.

Members voted to postpone the local strikes due to take place from the 25th to the 29th September.

Nottingham follows the likes of Bristol University and King’s College London in rejecting the national UCU strike mandate.

Two weeks ago the UCU announced an end to the marking and assessment boycott which had been ongoing since the 20th April, forcing some students to choose between having their work marked or running the risk of being unable to progress to the next academic year.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “We have seen many employers do the right thing and agree to stop punitive pay deductions and some have also agreed to return what has been taken. We are now urging other vice-chancellors to follow their lead and are calling off strike action at dozens of universities. This will also allow our members to concentrate on winning the reballot and getting the pay and conditions they deserve. 

“Renewing our mandate and keeping the pressure on is the way we will win this dispute, but the strike action due to go ahead next week stands as a reminder to all employers that if you behave egregiously, you will face further disruption.”

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