The first day of Warwick UCU strikes will take place in just two weeks

It has now been confirmed that staff and lecturers at the University of Warwick will start striking on February 1st.

Over 70,000 UCU members across 150 universities will take part in the strikes, lasting for 17 days this term.

Last week, it was announced that university staff would be taking part in a ‘nationwide shutdown’ over pay disputes and attacks on pensions. The strikes are expected to take place throughout February and March.

The date for further strikes will be announced next week.

The action on Wednesday 1 February will coincide with TUC’s ‘protect the right to strike’ day. Five unions, UCU, NEU, ASLEF, PCS and RMT have already confirmed they will join the day of action against the Conservative government’s plans to introduce strict anti-strike measures through parliament.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Whilst the cost-of-living crisis rages, university vice-chancellors are dragging their feet and refusing to use the vast wealth in the sector to address over a decade of falling pay, rampant casualisation and massive pension cuts.

“On 1 February, 70,000 university staff will walk out alongside fellow trade unions and hundreds of thousands of other workers to demand their fair share.

“UCU remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, but if university employers don’t get serious and fast, more strike action fill follow in February and March.”

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