Information on planned strike action
Over the last few months, the University Leadership Team and the EIS trade union have been working together to avoid compulsory redundancies, with several constructive discussions taking place over this time. In our last update, we confirmed that EIS had agreed to pause strike action in April as we continued to make progress.
We assure you that we are continuing to work hard to resolve the issue and have successfully reduced the number of compulsory redundancies to one role, down from 70 initially. However, EIS has formally notified the University of 16 more days of strike action in May.
General information
When will the strikes take place?
The strikes will take place on:
- 4, 5, 6, 7 May
- 11, 12, 13, 14 May
- 19, 20, 21, 22 May
- 26, 27, 28, 29 May
What is a strike?
Union members who take part in the strike action will not work on strike days. As is normal practice in these circumstances, the University will withhold pay from trade union members for each day that they take strike action.
Is the University open during the strike action?
Yes. The University is open as normal. We expect our students to come to the University on these days.
How will I know if my classes, assessments or exams are cancelled?
During strike action, please work on the assumption everything will go ahead as normal unless you are advised otherwise. This means you should attend all timetabled classes and events, complete and submit assessments, and sit any online and on-campus exams you may have.
While strike action takes place, some aspects of teaching and assessment may be cancelled at short notice. This is because staff are not legally required to tell the University in advance if they plan to take part in strike action.
We hope that lecturers and tutors will inform both students and the University in advance if teaching is likely to be cancelled or rescheduled. You are allowed to ask them whether this is the case, but they are not required to respond.
We will make every effort to minimise disruption and have appropriate ways to mitigate the impacts, which you can read about in the rest of these FAQs.
Can I join the strike?
The action is for trade union members only and is not a legitimate reason to miss classes or assessments. You should attend all classes as usual.
Can I cross a picket line?
A picket line is a form of protest where staff gather in a specific place, usually near the entrances and exits of campus buildings, to raise awareness of their cause.
Staff on picket lines should not prevent you from entering buildings or restrict your access to any part of the campus. They do not want to disrupt students' education, and picket lines should not feel intimidating.
What services will be affected during the strike?
Campus facilities such as catering, libraries and IT will not be affected.
Why is pay being deducted from staff on strike?
If staff choose to take part in strike action, pay will be deducted. We have shared information with all staff to explain how and when this will happen.
What will the University do with the money saved through salaries not being paid to staff on strike?
Staff who take part in strike action will not be entitled to pay from the University for strike days, and we are committed to ensuring that funds saved as a consequence of any strike action which impacted upon students will be re-prioritised to benefit students in a range of different ways.
Teaching and assessments
Will teaching sessions be rescheduled if they are cancelled?
Classes will not normally be rescheduled, however some limited exceptions may be necessary to support students on courses where there are professional, statutory or regulatory body requirements. If you are on such a course, you will be notified.
You should look on Moodle for any supplementary material or notes and reading lists that are available. Contact your programme leader, module leader, and/or Personal Development Tutor (PDT) to ask for further advice if you have any concerns about missed classes.
Will there be extensions given to submission deadlines for student assessments?
You should comply with assessment submission dates published on Moodle. Any requests for extensions to submission deadlines can be applied for using the usual procedures highlighted on Moodle.
I have requested an extension, but my module leader is not available to approve it.
We recognise that some module leaders may be taking strike action and will not be available to approve extension requests. If this happens, please contact your School Office so they can liaise with another member of the academic team who will consider your request.
How will the University ensure my academic performance in assessments is not affected by the strike action?
The University has a range of ways in which it considers the academic performance of students and modules at the end of each trimester, prior to the official publication dates. These will be used to ensure students are not academically disadvantaged by the strikes. The University may also take other actions where this is deemed necessary in the best academic interests of our students.
Should students complete Fit to Sit documentation if their academic performance is affected by the strike action?
While some of your classes may be affected by the strike action, you will still have access to all learning materials on Moodle. Remember that not all classes will be impacted by any strike action and there are other ways to access the information provided in classes.
For those who need to use these processes for other issues, please refer to the Fit to Sit page.
Will I be entitled to compensation for cancelled classes, coursework, exams and other assessments?
We will do everything we can to minimise disruption to your classes, coursework, exams and assessments. However, there will not be any opportunity for compensation or fee refunds.
Tuition fees cover much more than teaching contact hours. They also contribute to facilities and services such as the library, IT support, student services, heating, lighting, and other essential University costs. For this reason, the University is not able to offer refunds.
If you are not satisfied with the steps we take to reduce the impact of the strike action, you may be able to submit a complaint through the University's complaints procedure.
What arrangements will there be for Graduate Apprentice students who can only attend University on a specific day due to their work commitments?
As for all students, we will do our best to inform you in advance of any classes being cancelled. If you have any concerns or questions, then please contact your programme leader directly.
Will student attendance records be affected if students are not in classes on a strike day?
The attendance records of students whose classes are cancelled because of the strike action will not be affected. This includes international students studying on a student visa where non-attendance at a class which is cancelled will not be counted towards a student’s engagement record.
Will I still be able to attend graduation?
If you are due to attend a graduation ceremony in the summer, you will still be able to do so on the dates listed for your ceremony. Please continue following the guidance you receive from the University to register and to organise your gown.
Getting support
Where can I get more support if I am particularly worried by the strike?
If you have any concerns about your studies, speak to your Personal Development Tutor (PDT), programme leader or module leader. You may also wish to reach out to Wellbeing and Inclusion for support.
Will there still be support for students studying overseas with partner institutions?
Yes. You should continue to contact your local programme team, module leaders and programme leader.
What should students do if they want to make a complaint as a result of the strike action?
We will always consider any complaint we receive from students. Before submitting a complaint, please make sure you read the information on the Complaints page.
Our complaints procedure states that dissatisfaction with University policy can be a valid reason for making a complaint. However, it also explains that some policies are set at the discretion of the University. This includes employment-related matters, where the University does exercise this discretion.
We cannot consider complaints about the occurrence of the strike action itself. However, we can consider complaints from students who feel they have been disadvantaged by how the University has mitigated the impact of the strike action. If you are making this type of complaint, please clearly explain:
- What disadvantage you believe you experienced
- How it affected you
- Any relevant evidence to support your complaint
All complaints are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. As with all complaints we receive, we aim to handle them fairly, consistently, and as quickly as possible.