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King’s College London to face three days of strike during December

The UCU has announced the strike will occur from December 1st through 3rd


King’s College London will be one of 58 universities to have three days of strike action this December. The University and College Union have announced that the strikes will occur from December 1st through December 3rd. KCL is one of 33 universities seeing strikes over both pay and pensions.

Alongside the three-day walkout, staff at 64 universities will have a mandate to take action short of strike, including strictly working to contract and refusing any additional duties.

The announcement featured a statement from UCU general secretary Jo Grady, who said, “Strikes over three consecutive days are set to hit university campuses next month unless employers get round the table and take staff concerns over pension cuts, pay and working conditions seriously.”

“UCU has repeatedly asked employers to meet with us to try to resolve these disputes. But while we set out pragmatic solutions that could halt widespread disruption to UK campuses, university bosses refuse to revoke unnecessary, swingeing pension cuts or even to negotiate on issues like casualisation and the unbearably high workloads that blight higher education.

“A resolution to this dispute is simple. But if employers remain intent on slashing pensions and exploiting staff who have kept this sector afloat during a pandemic then campuses will face strike action before Christmas, which will escalate into spring with reballots and further industrial action.”

In an industrial action announcement earlier this month, KCL President and Principal Professor Shitij Kapur announced that post the close of UCU ballots on November 4th, King’s College London staff will be going on strike. He added, “However, I want to assure you that we are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to minimise any impact on teaching and learning and we are working closely with your faculties and departments.”

King’s College London has been contacted for comment.

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