What is UCU? What is a strike? What’s it about? Upcoming UCU Strike What is UCU? What is a strike? What’s it about? See video

What is UCU? UCU is a trade union. Unions are democratic organisations that represent the collective interests of employees. Unions fight for equal pay and fair working conditions. UCU (University and Colleges Union) represents hundreds of thousands of workers across higher and further education.

What’s a strike? Unions try to negotiate with managers to reach compromises on pay and conditions. But sometimes managers won’t compromise and simply impose the solution they want. Employees (and unions) can either put up with unfair conditions or take action. Strike action is the withdrawal of labour – we don’t work and are not paid. Strike action is lawful, so long as members vote for it in a properly constituted ballot (it’s a bit more complicated but that’s basically it). 88% of UCU members at City (and similar proportions nationwide) have voted to take strike action now.

What’s the strike about? University managers are cutting our pensions by as much as half. A typical lecturer may see her pension drop from £18,000 to £10,000 per year according to First Actuarial. The changes are unfair because they are likely to hit younger and poorer staff harder. Our pensions are already worse than found in newer universities, like Southbank or University of East London. Expected pensions for different members (M1-M12). Current position: dark blue. New proposal: light blue. Post-92 institutions: orange.

What’s the strike about? High student fees mean that universities have got richer. But over the last decade staff pay has dropped about 15% in real terms, while senior managers’ salaries have risen rapidly. There is no need for these drastic cuts. The pension scheme (USS) is cash rich. Looking to the future, USS’s ‘best estimate’ is that if it remains open the scheme is £8 billion in surplus. It is only if you make a lot of controversial assumptions that there is a ‘deficit’.

Striking is the last resort for staff Striking is never something we want to do. We care about education and about our students. We want to return to the negotiating table. But Universities UK (UUK) are determined to impose this huge cut. Strike Days: On strike days lectures, seminars and other teaching will be cancelled and we will not be available in person or by email. What you can do: Contact City President Paul.Curran@city.ac.uk and urge him to ask UUK to return to negotiations. Join us on the picket lines outside the entrances on Strike days and a London-wide protest on 28th February. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 22 Feb 23 Feb 26 Feb 27 Feb 28 Feb 5 March 6 March 7 March 8 March 12 March 13 March 14 March 15 March 16 March