STRIKE FAQ'S

National Strike FAQs are now available - see: https://www.ucu.org.uk/uss-action-faqs and also: https://www.ucu.org.uk/uss.

National Guidance for Staff on Casualised Contracts is available here: ussstrike_briefing-note-for-casualised-members.pdf

Local Strike FAQS are below

Why we are striking

  • There is huge anger that our pension is under attack.
  • The employers want to end guaranteed pension benefits.
  • They say our final pension should depend on how our 'investments' perform and not on our contributions. We say it's wrong to risk our members' futures.

What am I expected to do during a strike? The UCU only takes strike action once every other avenue of influence has been exhausted and there is no other way to make members' views clear. It is a very serious sanction and that's why we ask that every member observes the strike. Every member who does not observe the strike is directly undermining the union's bargaining power and making it harder for the union to protect all its members.

When we call a strike we ask that members do not come into work and do not reschedule their classes. The best possible thing you can do is contact your local rep or branch administrator (lbanton@ucu.org.uk) and put your name down for joining the picket line. It isn't illegal and it isn't dangerous.

Do I have to tell my employer that I am taking strike action? No. In order to fulfil legal requirements, employers have been provided with statistical information about UCU members taking industrial action, but not individual names. You are under no obligation to inform management in advance as to whether you will be taking part in strike action or action short of a strike. However, if your manager asks you after the strike whether you took action, you should answer truthfully.

I’m a Head of Department, do I have to tell my employer that I am taking strike action? No. You are under no obligation to inform management in advance as to whether you will be taking part in strike action of action short of a strike. However, if your manager asks you after the strike whether you took action, you should answer truthfully.

Back to top of page

What about my students? We know that our members don't like taking any action that affects students. It is the same for many public services. However, when we take action, we are generally making a case for greater investment in or defence of the quality of the service we provide.

Observing the strike is defending the interests of staff and students alike. Undermining the strike might feel like the right thing in the short term but will only serve to encourage management and we will all suffer more in the longer term. Formally, it is management's responsibility to explain to students if classes are to be cancelled on strike days. However, you may wish to talk to your students before the strikes explaining why the union is taking this action or share the UCU video which has been developed for this purpose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njFZCArmDLw

Am I breaking my contract by taking strike action? All effective industrial action may be a breach of your contract of employment. But because UCU has carried out a statutory ballot and the action has been formally called, the law protects workers from dismissal whilst taking part in lawful industrial action or at any time within 12 weeks of the start of the action and, depending on the circumstances, dismissal may also be unfair if it takes place later.

Back to top of page

How much money will I lose? You should expect to have a day's salary deducted for taking part in the strike. Lancaster University has stated that 1/365th of your annual salary will be deducted for each day of action. Working to contract is a form of industrial action. However, provided that the action you take is not in any sense a part of your contractual obligations to perform, your employer will have no legal basis for docking your pay. For example, if you do not attend a purely voluntary event, you cannot lose pay.

How will it affect my pension? ? In previous one-day strikes it has been the experience of UCU that most employers do not withhold superannuation contributions and therefore participation in strike action has not generally affected pensions. Also, institutions that do choose to withhold contributions often make provision for members to make up pension and AVC deficits from their pay. Further, in relation to USS, the current advice from USS to USS institutions is that employer deductions will be made unless the employer advises to the contrary prior to any period of absence. Members are reminded that they are under no obligation to inform management in advance as to whether you will be taking part in strike action or action short of a strike. For further info, see: https://www.ucu.org.uk/strikesandpensions

What will happen to the money the university will save on payroll during the strike? We are urging the university to donate the salary and pensions savings for the days that members are on strike to a student hardship fund.

Back to top of page

What is the law on picketing? The legal categories of people permitted to picket are: UCU members in dispute; former employees who have lost their jobs for reasons connected to the dispute; UCU officials and NEC members supporting members in dispute, providing they are accompanying union members who work at the location.

I've never picketed before - what do I do? There are guidelines for picketing and what to expect and these will be made available on the Lancaster UCU website and at the picket lines.

I am not a UCU member. Can I take part in the strike? We would like everyone to respect the picket lines and not go into work, but if you are not a UCU member we will not be able to support you if the university decides to take disciplinary action against you. However, it is your general support that counts-if you can get permission from your line manager to take annual leave or work from home, this would be support.

How late can someone join the union and still take part in strike action? People can join the union at any point up to and including on the picket line on the day of action and lawfully join the strike. You can Join UCU online at https://www.ucu.org.uk/join or the number to call is: 0333 207 0719

I'm a Researcher fully funded by external bodies. Should I go on strike? You are an employee of Lancaster University, wherever your funding comes from. If you are a UCU member you are asked to take part in the strike along with your other academic colleagues. Please join the picket line as well! If you are not a UCU member, you can support the effectiveness of the strike action by working from home or taking a day's leave rather than coming on to campus.

Back to top of page

I’m a UCU member but not a USS member. Should I go on strike? Yes. If you have been balloted in this dispute, then you should go on strike alongside your colleagues. All Lancaster UCU members who hold a contract of employment at Lancaster University have been balloted for strike action.

I'm a PhD student who teaches and am on a University Scholarship/Bursary - should I go on strike? If the teaching component is a compulsory element of your Scholarship/Bursary, then you have a contractual relationship with Lancaster University but this is not a contract of employment. We would ask you to support the strike by distributing leaflets on campus during strike days. If in doubt, contact the branch administrator (lbanton@ucu.org.uk)

I'm on an hourly paid contract - what should I do? If you have been balloted for strike action, then you should not work on strike days. If this has the potential to put you into financial difficulties, please see the information below regarding 'the strike fund'.

Back to top of page

Is there a Strike Fund? Yes. There is a National Strike Fund (pdf) and a Local Strike Fund

How to donate to the Local Strike Fund - Last time we went on strike we organised a fund for colleagues who would be particularly hard hit by the loss of income, i.e. those on hourly pay rates or on the lowest union subscription rates. Colleagues, particularly those on higher incomes, donated very generously to the Fund and we were able to respond to people’s needs.


If you would like to donate to the Local Strike Fund:

Account Name: UCU Lancaster LA28

Bank: Unity Trust Bank

Account number: 20057842

Sort Code: 60 – 83 – 01

Or by cheque, made payable to: Lancaster UCU.
Address for cheques: c/o Louise Banton (UCU Branch Administrator), UCU Office (A19), Welcome Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YW

How to claim from the Local Strike Fund - Please do not let financial hardship stop you from exercising your right to strike. We are here to support you. If you would like to make a confidential enquiry about the fund, please contact the treasurer (i.paylor1@lancaster.ac.uk) or the branch administrator (lbanton@ucu.org.uk). Please note, Full membership of UCU is required in order to claim (although there is no requirement to have been a full member for a certain time), plus evidence of salary loss and strike participation.

None of the FAQs listed here help me, what should I do? Please contact the branch administrator (lbanton@ucu.org.uk) who will get back in touch with you.

Back to top of page


Home