The first date of the Exeter UCU strikes has been announced

Spoiler alert: it’s in less than two weeks

2 years ago

Yesterday the University College Union (UCU) announced the first day of strikes for the new year will take place on the 1st of February.

This marks the first of 17 strikes which are set to take place in February and March over disputes surrounding pay, working conditions and pensions. The precise dates of the further 17 strikes are set to be announced by the union next week.

The first day of strikes also coincides with the nations Protect the Right to Strike day of action. The UCU will be among five unions (UCU, NEU, ASLEF, PCS and RMT) who are all striking on 1st February to protest the Conservative government’s plans to introduce strict anti-strike measures through parliament.

BREAKING: 70,000 UCU members to strike on 1 February

Notice for 17 more days of strike action, scheduled to take place during February and March, will be served next week

We are proud to be taking action on 1 February with our fellow unions#ucuRISING https://t.co/AvDq6skuru

— UCU (@ucu) January 17, 2023

Regarding the upcoming strikes, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Whilst the cost-of-living crisis rages, university vice-chancellors are dragging their feet and refusing to use the vast wealth in the sector to address over a decade of falling pay, rampant casualisation and massive pension cuts.

“On 1 February, 70,000 university staff will walk out alongside fellow trade unions and hundreds of thousands of other workers to demand their fair share.

“UCU remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, but if university employers don’t get serious and fast, more strike action fill follow in February and March.”