Our branch has achieved a strong mandate for potential industrial action in our recent ballot, with a turnout of 50.44%, and 67.6% and 75.37% voting in support of strike action and action short of a strike (ASOS), respectively. This positive result reflects the incredible work of our departmental reps, branch officers, and members who contributed to the Get The Vote Out campaign. The new strike mandate will last for one year thanks to changes in trade union law.
Members have voted to reject management’s extensive and disruptive programme of restructuring, which is creating direct stress for hundreds of staff and negatively impacting the entire university. Despite the incredibly hostile and punitive approach taken by management following our action last semester, members have once again demonstrated their resolve to push back against the threats to jobs, and to demand protections from ever-increasing workloads. We know from our independent financial report that any job cuts are a choice, not a necessity. Management can avoid any further industrial action by negotiating in good faith and committing to no compulsory redundancies.
Our branch committee will meet to discuss these results and how to put a plan of action to our members. We will then consult with members before undertaking any plan of action. So please watch out for further information in later emails.
At this crucial moment, every member matters. We are asking everyone to speak with a staff member or PGR who is not currently a union member about the importance of this dispute and how they can support those whose jobs are at risk by joining UCU and joining our collective action.
Thank you again to everyone who voted. This mandate empowers us to continue ongoing negotiations with management on job cuts, job losses, and workload. We will keep members abreast of any developments in these negotiations in the coming days and weeks.