Here’s everything we know about the strikes at Cardiff Uni

Cardiff University staff will be taking part in strikes from Monday 25th November to Wednesday 4th December as part of a mandate for industrial action secured by the University and College Union.

Strikes will go ahead unless an agreement can be made between the University and the Union before then.

UCU’s website explains the reasons for striking are over changes to pensions and over pay and working conditions. They state that ‘79% of UCU members voted backed strike action over changes to pensions’.

The university's gender pay gap is also one on the reasons given for the strikes.

Not only will union members be striking for eight days, but they will also begin ‘action short of a strike’ which will include not rescheduling lectures cancelled due to strike action.

It is currently unknown exactly which schools and lecturers will be striking, and therefore how many students will be affected by the disruptions. When asked by The Cardiff Tab for advice about the strikes the university couldn’t share any information beyond the confirmed dates.

A university spokesperson told the Cardiff Tab: “We are currently in the process of developing a series of Q&As. They will be posted to the student intranet and shared via Student News shortly.”

Cardiff University’s statement states:

“Whilst we fully respect the right of staff to take part in legal industrial action our priority is providing education for our students… the university will remain open and we will do everything possible to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.”

When asked for their opinion and feelings about the strike, one second year optometry student told The Tab:

“I don’t know much about the strike, but we’re paying so much money to get an education and I understand why they’re doing it, but I feel like it’s affecting us a lot more than it’s changing anything for them.”

A third year history student said: "I support the strikes, but wish they could strike in away that damages the university more than students."

A motion has been proposed to the Students' Union AGM to support the strike action. The motion states:

“The Student’s Union should support the UCU Strike action. This strike action is not just about pensions, but about protecting the work culture within our University. It is about taking a stand against pay inequality, precarious work, inequality and excessive workloads, which affect our lecturers, our education and many postgraduate students who teach.”

When asked if any more strikes were likely to happen, the university replied: “The only dates confirmed, so far, are those in December. We will keep students updated if more action is confirmed.”