On 3 February, the University and Colleges’ Union (UCU) announced a second round of strikes beginning on 20 February.
This news comes after a eight day round of strikes took place at the end of the last academic semester.
With these strikes looming, we have compiled some information for those out of the loop.
When are the strikes taking place?
(Week 1, during our own Flexible Learning Week)
Week 2: Monday 24 – Thursday 27 February (four days)
Week 3: Monday 2 – Friday 6 March (five days)
Week 4: Monday 9 – Friday 13 March (five days)
Why are the strikes taking place?
The UCU’s website claims that the disputes centre on the sustainability of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and rising costs for members, and on universities’ failure to make significant improvements on pay, equality, casualisation and workloads.
Where are the strikes taking place?
Our own university will be affected by all fourteen days of strike, one of among 74 UK universities whose UCU branches also crossed the 50 per cent threshold required.
This is fourteen more universities than those who took part in the recent November and December strikes of last year.
What does our own university say?
In a recent email sent out to the student body, Vice Principle Students set out the universities stance on the strikes.
Whilst detailing a recent joint statement released with UCU Edinburgh, the email also claimed,
“Our priority is to minimise disruption to your learning and teaching throughout this period and have been taking all reasonable steps to do this.
“During the industrial action, you should work on the basis that your studies will continue as normal, unless you are told otherwise.”
Useful links to keep up to date on strike action:
University of Edinburgh’s Student FAQs Page on UCU Industrial Action
UCU official website
University of Edinburgh’s Student News Twitter/Facebook
The Student will continue to cover the strikes closely in the upcoming weeks. Keep an eye out both in print and on our website.
Image: via Wikipedia