It is very important that all UCU members observe this strike action. It is the first time that we are taking action at UEL over a local dispute and is a very important moment for academic staff at UEL. Sign up today for picket duty. We will be operating a picket from 7.30-5.30. Please do not stay at home; we need a strong collective presence at all entrances.
More information about picketing is provided below but if you have any further questions or you wish to volunteer for picket line duty on Thursday pplease do not hesitate to contact j.mitchell@uel.ac.uk .
Strike FAQs and guidelines on picketing
What am I expected to do during a strike?
Your union will only take strike action once every other avenue of influence has been exhausted and when your branch officers think there is no other way to make members’ views clear. It is a very serious sanction and that’s why we ask that every member observes the strike. Every member who does not observe the strike is directly undermining the union’s bargaining power at UEL. When we call a strike we ask that members do not work, do not reschedule their classes and come to the picket line.
Do I have to tell my employer that I am taking strike action?
In order to fulfil legal requirements, employers have been provided with statistical information about UCU members at UEL taking industrial action, but not individual names. You are under no obligation to inform management in advance as to whether you will be taking part in strike action or action short of a strike. However, if your manager asks you after the strike whether you took action, you should answer truthfully. It is important that all members report taking part in the strike because they will gauge membership density.
What about my students?
We are a union of professionals and we know that our members don’t like taking any action that affects students. It is the same for many public services. However, when we take action, we are generally making a case for greater investment in or defence of the quality of the service we provide. Our dispute at UEL is about respect for academic staff and defending the student experience. Observing the strike is defending the interests of staff and students alike. Undermining the strike might feel like the right thing in the short term but will only serve to encourage management and we will all suffer more in the longer term.
Formally, it is management’s responsibility to explain to students if classes are to be cancelled on strike days. However, you may wish to talk to your students before the
strikes explaining why the union is taking this action. UCU at UEL has produced the leaflet for students why we feel it is necessary to take action.
Am I breaking my contract by taking strike action?
All effective industrial action may be a breach of your contract of employment. But because UCU has carried out a statutory ballot and the action has been formally called, the law protects workers from dismissal whilst taking part in lawful industrial action or at any time within 12 weeks of the start of the action and, depending on the circumstances, dismissal may also be unfair if it takes place later.
How much money will I lose?
You should expect to have a day’s salary deducted for taking part in the strike. Some
institutions state that 1/260th of your annual salary will be deducted for each day of action. Any loss greater than this may be challenged by the union.
What if I am part time?
UCU believe that any deduction must be pro-rata for part time staff. The deduction must only be for your contracted hours. Please contact UCU for support in challenging any greater loss.
How will it affect my pension?
In previous one-day strikes it has been the experience of UCU that most university
employers do not withhold superannuation contributions and therefore participation in strike action has not generally affected pensions. Also, institutions that do choose to withhold contributions often make provision for members to make up pension and AVC deficits from their pay. If you are concerned about any effect, contact Geraldine Egan at UCU (gegan@ucu.org.uk).
What is the law on picketing?
Peaceful picketing is entirely legal. Picketing should be carried out at or near an entrance or exit from a site at which the pickets work. When others who are not in dispute come into work or use these entrances or exits, pickets must not interfere with them. The legal categories of people permitted to picket are:
- UCU members in dispute
- Former employees who have lost their jobs for reasons connected to the dispute
- UCU officials and NEC members supporting members in dispute, providing they are accompanying union members who work at the location.
I am a Research Fellow fully funded by external bodies but I don’t want to cross the picket line. (HE) If you are a UCU member please join the picket line! If you are not, try to arrange to work from home.
I am a clinician and a UCU member, and I have clinical commitments on strike day. What can I do?
We fully understand that clinical staff including medics and psychologists have professional commitments to provide clinical cover. Clinicians are advised not to withdraw from any commitment to direct clinical care and activities in support
of such. Any clinician concerned about the definition of these terms is advised to contact their own professional defence organisation, and ask them to contact the relevant professional body (e.g., the GMC) on their behalf. The UCU will
therefore respect this. A clinician who intends to strike should be aware that this will only count as lawful action as part of the UCU strike and if s/he is a UCU member.
Guidelines on picketing
The point of the picket is to peacefully persuade members not to cross our picket lines i.e., to not go into work. Picketing is a legal activity and pickets should wear an
armband indicating they are on duty. Placards and posters should be displayed stating ‘OFFICIAL PICKET’.
Approaching people
All UCU members should be on strike with the exception of members with clinical commitment. You should talk to anyone, a UCU member, work colleague,
or member of the public who approaches the picket line. Give them a leaflet and explain the reason for the strike and ask them to support the campaign. Anyone who decides to cross a picket line must be allowed to do so. But always take the opportunity to talk to them and explain the reasons for the industrial action. Those workers who wish to cross the picket line should be asked not to undertake any duties or responsibilities other than their own i.e., not to cover for us.
Students
Students are not vulnerable to disciplinary action like staff, so any student who wishes to support us and not cross the picket line should be made welcome.
Likewise, any student who wishes to stand near the picket lines should be made welcome, although they would not be legally recognised official pickets (so shouldn’t, for example, be allowed to wear an armband).
Speaking to people who are not university staff or students
You can seek to persuade other workers, not employed at the university or college, not to deliver goods or to enter the work premises, e.g., post, milk, stationary supplies. For example (this is the only form of permitted ‘secondary’ action). Mobile numbers of the picket organisers should be available on the day.
COME TO THE PICKET LINE – volunteer today.
Regards
Jacqui
For and on behalf of University and College Union UCU @ UEL.