Confirmed: Five days of strikes will take place at Newcastle University this September

The UCU has also confirmed the marking boycott has ended

1 year ago

Following months of negotiations and the marking boycott, the UCU has announced that lecturers and union members will be striking once again.

These strikes will commence on Monday 25th September for five consecutive days to the 29th.

🚨IMPORTANT UPDATE:

Members have voted to end the marking and assessment boycott.

We have immediately served universities with notice of 5 more days of strike action.

More info can be found in your member email and in the thread below.

— UCU (@ucu) September 6, 2023

Newcastle University is one of 136 universities confirmed to be affected by the new strike action.

This comes after significant disruptions affecting teaching in February and March, as well as June last semester. The strikes prior had a detrimental impact on many students, especially third years submitting their dissertations and final year assignments.

As we know, the disputes are focused on pay and working conditions. As the UCU state, the university sector has generated more money than ever yet the proportion gone to staff is low.

Alongside normal strike action, union members will work to rule, not undertake any voluntary activities, and not reschedule lectures or classes affected due to strike action.

The UCU general secretary, Jo Grady has said: “We are left with no option but to strike during the start of term because our members refuse to stand by while pay is eroded and staff are shunted onto gig-economy contracts.”