UCU Industrial Action
The University and Colleges Union (UCU) have been taking industrial action as a result of disputes with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) over pay, working conditions and pensions.
Not every member of staff at Loughborough University is a member of the UCU and as such, this action won't affect every student.
Loughborough Students' Union is here to provide support and advice for all students, as your University experience is our top priority. We also wish to acknowledge the positive and understanding relationship we have witnessed between Loughborough University's Senior Leadership Team and members of the local UCU branch.
Marking and assessment boycott
The UCU (Universities and Colleges Union) have now entered the next phase of industrial action and have called for a national boycott of marking and assessment. As you know, there are matters where UCU nationally remains in disputes with employers, however, Loughborough University continues to work collegially with colleagues of the local UCU branch alongside the Students’ Union.
As the Students’ Union, we are dedicated to supporting and protecting students and their education. Due to this, we are working closely with the University to ensure disruption is as limited as possible and students’ best interests are listened to. LSU would like to reassure all students that Loughborough University anticipates that assessments will largely go ahead as planned, including summer exams and also graduation ceremonies. If for any reason this is not the case, the University will be in touch with those affected.
Both the Union and the University’s main priority is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged through the assessment process, and all parties are working hard locally to make sure this happens. The tripartite statement can be found here or below.
If you are worried about the assessments or that the disruption is disproportionally affecting you and your studies, please find the FAQs here.
Tripartite Statement
Loughborough University, Loughborough UCU and Loughborough Students' Union have been meeting regularly during the current industrial disputes to explore what is at issue and to consider how progress might be made. While our perspectives are diverse, the collaborative way of working that we have developed has enabled us to address effectively and constructively those issues which have a local dimension. We have also discussed what is at stake nationally.
Our position on the several strands of the disputes is summarised here:
Pensions
We believe that an evidence-based valuation of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) should be completed as soon as possible. This assessment of the scheme's assets and liabilities, and its future performance, should be 'moderately prudent'. Any positive adjustments resulting from this new valuation should prioritise the improvement of members' benefits over reductions to employer /employee contribution rates from their current levels. We welcome the recent developments in relation to this.
Pay
We acknowledge that this is the most challenging of the current issues. The regulated undergraduate student fee that is universities' most significant income stream has barely changed in a decade – and it remains frozen during this period of high inflation when institutions' costs, such as energy, have increased sharply. The income of university staff has lagged similarly in this time, with a series of below-inflation pay awards – and current high prices are undoubtedly having a significant impact on staff, too. While the 2023 pay award has been implemented, we remain mindful of staff's situation. We also join other voices in encouraging a longer-term review of the university funding model (a review that should be creative and not focus only on raising students' fees).
Working conditions
(Pay inequality, casualisation, workload)
We recognise that addressing these questions is crucial to the well-being and sustainability of the sector. Universities must offer a fair, decent and healthy working environment to all. At Loughborough, while further work remains to be done, good progress is being made on these fronts – and we encourage employers and unions at all HE institutions to tackle pay gaps, casualised contracts and high workloads in a similar spirit of partnership.
We do not underestimate the complexities of these multiple issues and the challenges involved in finding fair outcomes. However, it is crucial that lasting resolutions are achieved, so as to prevent further disruption to the lives of both staff and students.
We strongly encourage all those involved in the disputes to continue working toward our shared goal: student and staff satisfaction in a Higher Education sector fit for everyone.
Cosigned by:
Loughborough University, Loughborough UCU, and Loughborough Students' Union
About the Industrial Action
Industrial action is a term for action taken by employees in protest against their employers. Members of staff do not get paid for the duration of industrial action.
A strike is the most common form of industrial action, in which members of a trade union do not engage in any activity such as teaching, administration, meetings, marking, research or conferences. This also means many lecturers will not be in contact with students over the striking period.
Action short of a strike may see union members working to rule, refusing overtime or carrying out a 'go-slow'. This action may occur outside of the published strike dates.
Picketing is a form of protest that witnesses members of a trade union congregating outside of a place of work or location where an event is taking place. These usually happen at the east entrance (near the security building) on Loughborough campus. At these pickets, students may be urged by members of the picket to not cross the line onto the University campus.
You may see some of your lecturers on these picket lines — you can speak to them if you wish to find out more information about the strikes and the campaign.
The University and College Union (UCU) is one of the largest trade unions that operates in further and higher education. They represent academic and support staff in colleges and universities across the country.
Trade unions operate in a similar way to how Loughborough Students' Union (LSU) operates. Like us, they are membership organisations that provide a range of assistance and services to members — the biggest difference is that they charge a membership fee.
The UCU describe the role of trade unions as:
- Providers of information, advice and guidance to members for work-related problems.
- Providers of training, insurance, financial services and legal advice to members.
- Campaigning on particular issues.
The UK has a significant number of trade unions, all operating in different fields, allowing the union to specialise in a specific sector. Membership of the UCU and other Unions are optional, but are protected by employee rights. This means that all employers must treat employees fairly whilst being members and must not in any way incentivise leaving a trade union.
The UCU, under their 'ucuRISING' campaign, have two debates currently in progress with employers: one surrounding pay and working conditions, and another surrounding pensions.
Pay and working conditions:
- An increase to points on the national pay scale to raise in line with inflation.
- An intersectional approach to close the gender, ethnic and disability pay gaps.
- An agreed framework to improve employment practices across universities.
- Action to address the excessive workloads and unpaid work by staff.
- For the standard, weekly full-time contract to be 35-hours per week, with no loss to pay.
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension scheme:
- Demands to the Vice-Chancellor to revoke the cuts which they imposed on members' USS pension scheme.
- The UCU are pushing for Universities UK (UUK) to put pressure on the USS to make sure that the next valuations of the scheme are evidence-based and well-judged.
A marking and assessment boycott may see members of the UCU refuse to submit marks for coursework, exams or other formative assessments. This is not to say that all students will be affected by the boycott, and it depends on which staff members undertake this boycott. The University will do all they can to make sure that there is minimal disruption to final marks.
Some, not all students, may have their studies disrupted by this industrial action. This may be seen though cancelled lectures, lecturers not replying to emails, and a longer waiting period between assessment submissions and marks. Staff members will not make up for lost time or work, and some content from your modules may be cut if not covered by your lecturers. The University have urged staff members to remove content from coursework and exams that have not been covered due to industrial action.
Students also may see UCU members on the picket line outside the front of the main entrance to the University who may also be joined by supporters to help encourage people and students to support the strike.
Unfortunately, lecturers are fully within their rights to not cover any content lost by the strike action. This all depends on the lecturer and some may cover it once strikes are over, however some may not. Please rest assured however that the University have urged staff to take any content out from coursework, exams or any other formative assessment that has not been covered due to the industrial action.
- Visit the UCU members on the picket line at the main gates. Students cannot join the picket line, however, they can register their support.
- Visit the social media pages of the UCU and keep up to date with their progress.
- Donate to the UCU campaign fund.
- Talk to friends and discuss the industrial action.
- Write to the Vice-Chancellor in support of the UCU strikes.
Loughborough University has:
- Released a joint statement with the UCU.
- Lifted the recruitment freeze necessitated by the pandemic.
- Suspended ratings in Peer Departmental Reveiws (PDRs) so that more well-rounded conversations can take place about performance, development and workload.
- Published a new wellbeing framework, led by the University's Occupational Health and Wellbeing department.
- Appointed an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Pro Vice-Chancellor.
- Submitted their Race Equality Charter plan.
- Created an EDI Committee.
- Initiated The Torch Academy to support the progression of academic women.
- Begun a review of academic promotions.
- Called for a new evidence-based valuation of Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) assets at the earliest possible opportunity.
- Called for meaningful negotiations to continue between employers, UCU, and the trustees to seek a negotiated outcome.
- Agreed upon principles for casual employment with UCU and there is an ongoing commitment to reduce casual contracts.
- The University also have an FAQ page which you can find here.
Loughborough Students' Union are:
- Meeting regularly with the University's Senior Leadership Team to discuss how we can minimise disruption to education.
- Providing up-to-date information on our dedicated strikes website page.
- Working with our Doctoral Researcher Experience Board and Academic Experience Senior Volunteers.
- Holding regular tripartite meetings with the University and UCU to discuss how disruption to studies can be minimised.
- Continuing to talk about the strikes with students at our forums to make sure we are accuratly representing the student voice.
- Pushing for the University and the UCU to create a new and reviewed version of their joint statement from May 2022.
As a Union, we have not released a statement supporting or opposing the industrial action. This would need to be based on student opinion, and we believe we don't have enough information to commit to a stance.
Two of LSU's Executive Officers, Alice Robinson (Academic Experience) and Harry Hughes-Slattery (President) are heading up the industrial action response and will always be happy to have a chat to about the ongoing action.
Please either email alicerobinson@lsu.co.uk or harryhughesslattery@lsu.co.uk, or book a meeting through this link.
Academic Support
The University continues to monitor the modules that are significantly impacted by the strike action. The University will also strive to make sure that coursework and exam results are available as normal, however some pieces of work may experience slight delays. If this is the case, the University will keep all affected students informed.
The University continues to monitor the modules that are significantly impacted by the strike action, and will communicate to students if they feel a mitigating circumstances claim is necessary. At this point, there is no need for any students to submit a mitigating circumstances claim and the University will continually monitor to make sure that the actions taken are reasonable and fair.
If you do believe that your work has been disproportionately affected by the industrial action, you should seek advice from your school, personal academic tutor and student services. After this, you may find it necessary to complete a mitigating circumstances form.
Loughborough University have no planned changes to how degrees will be classified as of yet, as issues will be dealt with at a module level. The continual monitoring means that the University will take appropriate action to ensure students are not disadvantaged.
If you are worried that your dissertation or project will be affected, please rest assured that the University will consider any instances of reduced supervision as a result of the strike action. Supervision arrangements, credit weighting and hand-in deadlines vary across different disciplines and it is likely that some students may be more affected than others. If you think that your work has been disproportionately affected, then please refer to the 'Will I need to submit a mitigating circumstances claim?' section of these FAQs.
If you have concerns about how the industrial action will impact your mental health and well-being, please refer to the University's student services website where you can access wellbeing advisors who can offer support if feeling anxious.
LSU Advice is also contactable that provides free, confidential, and non-judgemental advice. This service may not be able to offer a large amount of help regarding industrial action, and any concerns about academic studies should be directed to your school in the first instances.
To make a complaint, the University's advice is:
You should follow the University's normal procedures under Ordinance XXXVIII for making a complaint, unless your concerns relate to the marks you have been awarded in which case you should instead submit an academic appeal after Programme Board decisions have been published and you have received your results for this academic year.
If you wish to make a complaint, you might like to bear in mind the following points to assist us in addressing your concerns in a timely manner:
- Please make clear in what way you believe the University has not fulfilled its responsibilities to you as a result of the industrial action, providing details of the modules and specific teaching sessions which were impacted;
- Please explain carefully how you think you have been adversely affected. As noted above, if your concerns relate to the marks awarded, then please follow the academic appeals process instead;
- Please explain why you feel that the mitigating actions taken by the University have not been adequate;
- Please provide an indication of the action you seek from the University.
Your complaint will be considered under the formal complaints procedure and should be addressed to the Academic Registrar in the first instance via student complaints.
Complaints in relation to the industrial action in Semester 1 will only be considered in full after the Semester 1 results have been released to students.