This page was updated on: Wednesday 31 May at 16.20
We have provided below answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding industrial action. If your query is not answered, please contact [email protected].
Who is taking industrial action?
The University and College Union (UCU) recently undertook a re-ballot for industrial action which closed on 31 March 2023. This was in respect of a dispute on pay following the outcome of national pay negotiations for 2022/23. The ballot was in respect of industrial action by way of strike action and action short of strike action (ASOS). This is a national dispute in respect of the 2022/23 national pay negotiations, and any resolution needs to be made at a national level. We remain hopeful that the dispute can be resolved without the need for further industrial action, but we are working in the meantime to minimise the potential impact on our students and our staff.
UCU has notified BU that it plans to commence a continuous period of action short of strike action from Thursday 20 April 2023. We are disappointed that BU is faced with such action and will take all the necessary steps to minimise the impact on our students and colleagues who are not taking part in the action.
The ballot provides the union with a mandate for action until 20 September 2023.
Not all academic staff are UCU members. Many students may find their experience is unaffected by the action.
What does Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) mean?
UCU has advised that action short of strike commencing on 20 April 2023 will be continuous and consist of:
- Staff working to contract
- Not undertaking any voluntary activities
- Not covering for absent colleagues
- Removing uploaded materials related to, and/or not sharing materials related to, lectures or classes that will be or have been cancelled as a result of strike action
- Not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action
- Undertaking a marking and assessment boycott.
We know that you may be worried about this action and we will monitor the scale of it, but we anticipate that most activities will continue as planned. We will give you as much notice as we are able if any activity is not able to take place. However, staff taking part in the action short of strike do not have to tell us in advance of doing so. Therefore, we may not be able to let you know beforehand. Please do attend lectures, assessments and exams as you normally would
We appreciate that you may be particularly worried about a boycott of marking and assessment processes at this time in your studies, but there are a number of measures we can take to manage the impact of this type of action. Further information is provided below.
Why are staff taking this action?
This is a national dispute in respect of the 2022/23 national pay negotiations. The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) is taking steps to resolve the dispute with the trade union. We remain hopeful that the dispute can be resolved without the need for further industrial action.
Not all academic staff are UCU members and you may find your university experience is unaffected by the action.
I am worried about the action affecting my studies/research. Where can I get support?
We know that you might be concerned about the impact of staff at BU taking action short of strike, but we wish to reassure you that for many of you there will be no impact.
For example, we have over 1,700 members of staff at the university, across both academic and professional support colleagues. The current industrial action, which is part of a national dispute, is being undertaken by members of UCU, which is one of two trade unions represented at BU. We understand that around 36 percent of our academic staff are members of UCU. We know from previous experience that not all UCU members will choose to take part in industrial action. So, while we recognise that some students will be impacted by the action short of strike and understand the concern this may cause, you may find that your learning and student experience are not affected.
If the marking and assessment boycott will impact the delivery of your exam or assessment results or other elements of your learning, we will contact you directly. We will explain the impact, let you know the actions we are taking and when you can expect to receive your results. If we do not contact you with this information, your results will not be affected by the marking and assessment boycott and you can expect your results in line with the published timescales. If you have any concerns relating to the marking and assessment boycott, please speak to your Programme Support Team or supervisor. You can also contact SUBU Advice and access the university’s support and wellbeing services.
Should I still turn up for lectures and other timetabled activities?
Yes. Currently, UCU members are not going on strike and are taking action short of strike (ASOS). If this changes, or if any timetabled activities are affected by the ASOS, we will give you as much notice as we are able. Otherwise please do attend lectures, assessments and exams as you normally would.
We know that you might be concerned about the impact of staff at BU taking action short of strike, but we wish to reassure you that for many of you there will be no impact.
For example, we have over 1,700 members of staff at the university, across both academic and professional support colleagues. The current industrial action, which is part of a national dispute, is being undertaken by members of UCU, which is one of two trade unions represented at BU. We understand that around 36 percent of our academic staff are members of UCU. We know from previous experience that not all UCU members will choose to take part in industrial action. So, while we recognise that some students will be impacted by the action short of strike and understand the concern this may cause, you may find that your learning and student experience are not affected.
If the marking and assessment boycott will impact the delivery of your exam or assessment results or other elements of your learning, we will contact you directly. We will explain the impact, let you know the actions we are taking and when you can expect to receive your results. If we do not contact you with this information, your results will not be affected by the marking and assessment boycott and you can expect your results in line with the published timescales. If you have any concerns relating to the marking and assessment boycott, please speak to your Programme Support Team or supervisor. You can also contact SUBU Advice and access the university’s support and wellbeing services.
For Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught students: Will my coursework or assignments be affected?
Please continue to complete your coursework and submit assignments as planned.
The action short of strike includes a marking and assessment boycott. This means that academics who choose to participate in strike action may not mark assignments or exam papers. Faculty staff are carefully reviewing marking and assessment activity, and a central group made up of senior staff from across the university will identify and oversee appropriate actions for individual assessments affected by the boycott.
All efforts are being made to ensure that your work will be marked on time. There are a number of actions which we can take to ensure your progression or completion are not affected by this situation. This may include reallocation of work to other staff or use of flexibilities in our assessment regulations and procedures where appropriate. We will contact you if your results are impacted by the marking and assessment boycott, to explain the impact and let you know the actions we are taking and when you can expect to receive your results. If we do not contact you with this information, your results will not be affected by the marking and assessment boycott and you can expect your results in line with the published timescales.
If you have specific concerns relating to the marking of your work, please contact your Programme Support Team in the first instance.
For Postgraduate Research students: What about research submissions and vivas?
Please continue to complete your research work as planned.
The action short of strike includes a marking and assessment boycott. This means that academics who choose to participate in strike action may not mark assignments or exam papers. There are a number of actions which we can take to ensure your progression is not affected by this situation.
If your results are impacted by the marking and assessment boycott, we will communicate with you the actions we are taking and when you can expect to receive your results. If we do not contact you with this information, your results will not be affected by the marking and assessment boycott and you can expect your results as per the published timescales.
If you have specific concerns relating to the marking of your work, please contact your supervisor in the first instance.
When will I get my assessment results?
We know that you might be concerned about the impact of staff at BU taking action short of strike, but we wish to reassure you that for many of you there will be no impact.
For example, we have over 1,700 members of staff at the university, across both academic and professional support colleagues. The current industrial action, which is part of a national dispute, is being undertaken by members of UCU, which is one of two trade unions represented at BU. We understand that around 36 percent of our academic staff are members of UCU. We know from previous experience that not all UCU members will choose to take part in industrial action. So, while we recognise that some students will be impacted by the action short of strike and understand the concern this may cause, you may find that your learning and student experience are not affected.
If the marking and assessment boycott will impact the delivery of your exam or assessment results or other elements of your learning, we will contact you directly. We will explain the impact, let you know the actions we are taking and when you can expect to receive your results. If we do not contact you with this information, your results will not be affected by the marking and assessment boycott and you can expect your results in line with the published timescales. If you have any concerns relating to the marking and assessment boycott, please speak to your Programme Support Team or supervisor. You can also contact SUBU Advice and access the university’s support and wellbeing services.
I am in my final year at BU. Will my graduation be affected?
There are a number of actions which we can take to manage the impact of the marking and assessment boycott. We do not expect the boycott, therefore, to affect your ability to graduate in November.
I am an international student. Is there anything I need to know?
We don't expect the action to change your course end date. Therefore, there should be no impact on your visa or financial position.
Will I still be able to contact my lecturer?
Yes, you can contact members of staff in the same way as you do now; it is possible that there may be a slight delay in responding to you if that staff member is engaged in action short of strike. Staff who are participating should still be working their contracted hours and able to respond to you.
However, not all academic staff are UCU members and you may find your university experience is unaffected by the action.
What will happen to the salary of staff involved in action short of strike?
BU does not accept partial performance of duties. Staff are required to inform BU if they are taking part in the action short of a strike. BU’s position on withholding pay is set out in the relevant policy, which states that if a member of staff takes industrial action short of a strike, BU reserves the right to withhold 100% of pay or a proportion of pay, depending on the nature and impact of the action taken.
What is the university doing to minimise disruption?
We are used to planning for potential disruption. We are monitoring the impact of the action, we have contingency plans in place and colleagues across BU and in SUBU are working together to manage the impact of the action. We will continue to share information with you. As explained above, we will let you know if the marking and assessment boycott will impact on your results, and otherwise you can expect to receive your results in line with published timescales.
All university facilities and services will remain open including, but not limited to, the libraries, open access centres and student support services, and students will continue to have full access to them.
Will I have to cross a picket line?
No. There is no strike action planned by BU staff, only action short of strike. Therefore, there will not be a picket line.
I want to make a complaint. How do I do this?
Information about complaints, exceptional circumstances and student protection plans is available on the website. We would encourage you to speak to your Programme Support Team or Faculty Education Service Manager initially, if you have specific concerns about the impact of the action on you or your studies or research.