Lancaster Uni lecturers will strike for three days this month

The Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) have confirmed that every university in the country will be striking on 24th, 25th and 30th of November.

This includes Lancaster University and will fall on Weeks 7 and 8 of term.

The UCU tweeted that on these dates, “70,000 UCU members will be delivering the biggest picket lines in our history”.

This follows a UCU announcement that following two “historic national ballots”, UCU staff will once again be given the opportunity to strike.

The ballots were held over pay and working conditions and cuts to pensions, with eight out of 10 voters in favour of the strike action. The UCU said that the overwhelming majority shows the “anger felt by university staff.”

This year’s strike action aims to achieve a meaningful pay rise during the cost-of-living crisis, in contrast to the three per cent rise many staff were offered. The UCU also hopes to regain the 35 per cent cut made to pensions.

General secretary to the UCU Dr Jo Grady said: “70,000 members on strike to defend their jobs”, “win a proper pay rise” and “take back their pensions”.

“We will now plan to deliver the biggest picket lines in UCU history on the 24th and 25th November. On the 30th, we want as many of you as possible to head to London for the biggest ever demonstration of UCU members. We are going to protest ahead of our talks with the employers.”

She said: “Our message during these three days is very clear. Put a proper offer on the table or this is just the start of our fight back. This strike will be like no other we have called before. The ballot was different, the action will be different, the result will be different. The longer the picket line, the shorter the dispute.”

Lancaster UCU previously participated in three rounds of strike action in the academic year 2021/22.

Related articles recommended by this writer:

• Lancaster UCU to take part in third round of strikes this academic year
• ‘We don’t like to strike’: We went to the picket lines to ask lecturers about the strikes
• ‘Unity is strength’: Staff and Student Solidarity Meeting on supporting the strikes