NCL UCU tweets in error that strikes are called off forcing industrial action to be cancelled

Newcastle UCU has cancelled industrial action which coincided with the start of term. The disruption was supposed to take place from September 25th to 29th.

The UCU issued an apology stating the cancellation was unintentional and due to an administration error out of their control. They issued an apology to members of the UCU via Twitter expressing their concern.

UCU stated: “To our members. Unfortunately our strikes next week will not take place. Due to an administrative error beyond our control, our notification was withdrawn and strike action would not now be legally protected.”

This is an apology for Newcastle members.

We have also emailed every member of the Newcastle branch. We are deeply sorry for this error.

The GS has launched a review and we will work to ensure this never happens again. https://t.co/aOihuc4WZD pic.twitter.com/YCzl7RQHfW

— UCU (@ucu) September 23, 2023

The UCU further updated on Twitter that Newcastle University rejected the mistake and would no longer allow strikes to take place, along with proposing legal action if they kept perusing the disruptions.

Newcastle University sent out an email to students, informing them that the strikes were no longer taking place and that students “should attend all teaching and supervision” timetabled this week.

The strikes have been initiated by over 140 UK universities following a long-term dispute over pay and working conditions.

Despite the incident at Newcastle, UCU branches at other universities including Bristol, Cardiff and Glasgow also chose to cancel or adjust strike action after negotiations.

This news provides a positive start to the academic year for Newcastle students after so much disruption after last year’s marking boycott and strikes.