University announcement - Staff Digest 14 November

Dear colleagues,

As you will know the University and College Union (UCU) has announced, following the recent ballot, that industrial action will take place in the form of an eight-day period of strike action related to the USS pension scheme and pay and conditions, commencing on Monday 25 November, to be followed by a period of action short of a strike.

Information for those intending to take part in the strike can be found on these webpages.

I recognise that the decision to vote for industrial action is not taken lightly and respect colleagues’ right to take industrial action. Following that decision, we have established a Contingency Planning Group. This Group, chaired by Professor John Robinson, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning and Students, is working closely with academic and support departments to identify practical steps we can take to minimise any disruption to our students. The University Executive Board will also be considering how we best respond to the industrial action at its meetings in the coming weeks.

I will keep you updated on further developments and decisions as they emerge.

Best wishes,

Charlie Jeffery

Vice-Chancellor