Strike ballots to open at another 24 universities

Even more universities could face disruption in the new year if disputes over pensions, and over pay and conditions are not resolved, the University and College Union (UCU) warned today.
- Reballots will open at a further 24 universities on Tuesday 7 January
- Latest round of reballots mean strike polls will close at 36 universities on 28 January
- UCU members at 60 UK universities walked out for eight strike days in November and December
UCU members at another 24 universities are going to be asked to back strike action in ballots that open on Tuesday 7 January. Reballots opened at 12 universities last month, so there will be strike ballots closing at 36 universities on 28 January.
UCU members at 60 universities walked out for eight days of strikes between Monday 25 November and Wednesday 4 December.
The union has warned that if the disputes cannot be resolved then more strikes are likely in 2020, with more members eligible to take part and more universities and students affected. The union’s higher education committee is due to meet on Thursday 30 January to consider the latest round of results and further plans for industrial action.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘Following sustained strike action at 60 universities this term, ballots will close at another 36 institutions at the end of January.
‘This is the time for employers to demonstrate they are serious about wanting to avoid further and even more widespread disruption at our universities.
‘We have been clear from the outset that UCU members are prepared to take serious and sustained action to defend their pay and conditions, as well as their pensions.’
The universities where UCU members are being reballoted from 7 January are:
Bath Spa University |
Birkbeck College |
Canterbury Christ Church University |
Cardiff Metropolitan University |
University of Central Lancashire |
Coventry University |
De Montfort University |
University of East London |
University of Greenwich |
University of Huddersfield |
Keele University |
King’s College London |
London School of Economics |
Manchester Metropolitan University |
Newman University |
Nottingham Trent University |
University of Oxford |
Oxford Brookes University |
Royal College of Art |
Royal Veterinary College |
University of Salford |
Senate House |
Swansea University |
University of Winchester |