Breaking: UCU Pauses Strike Action

The UCU have paused strike action for two weeks. This decision has been made as a result of the “significant progress” made within negotiations. As a result, the planned strike action will not take place on Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February next week. Strike action on Monday 27 ,Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March will also be canceled . Despite this, Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) will continue over the upcoming two week period.

Types of industrial action short of a strike (ASOS) include not covering for absent colleagues or a marking and assessment boycott.

Whilst for some, the end to the long running dispute may look like a sign of hope, Dr Jo Grady – general secretary of the UCU – clarified that the dispute was not at an end but “simply a pause”.

Details remain sparse but further information will be released on Monday, with the St Andrews Branch of the UCU meeting on Tuesday.

Any final resolution to the dispute would have to go to a ballot of members. UCU leaders have stressed that they have not yet reached this stage of negotiations.

For St Andrews students, this means that classes will resume. The Saint will continue to release updates in relation to the UCU strikes as the situation develops.

Illustration: Lauren McAndrew