Southampton lecturers to strike over pay dispute

Southampton lecturers are to take part in a national two-day strike later this month, it was today confirmed. On May 25^th and 26^th universities across the country will see members of the University and College Union (UCU) stage strikes.

Researchers and librarians – alongside other university staff – will also be taking part in the strike.

Beyond these two dates, staff will also be working to contract – which means no overtime, no setting extra work and no covering for absent lecturers.

This strike is the latest move in an ongoing pay row. The UCU argues that the paltry 1.1% rise offered by the University and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA) is an “insult” – and that the institutions can afford to pay more.

Southampton lecturers have gone on strike over pay before, and were supported in their efforts by SUSU. Neither the University nor the Union has commented on the action as of yet.

UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said “Members in higher education have sent a clear message to employers that, after six years of real-terms pay cuts amounting to 14.5%, they will not tolerate a continued squeeze on their income.”

The UCEA called the strike “disappointing” and accused the UCU of deliberately causing disruption.

Further strikes could be announced for June and July if an agreement is not reached, and preparation for a boycott of marking student’s work is also under way for the autumn.