Welcome to Nottingham! We are on strike
What’s happening?
There is local strike ation going on at University of Nottingham.
Staff who are members of UCU withdraw their labour on these days.
There will sometimes be picket lines at University entrances on strike days. Picket lines
here are friendly places where you can talk to us about the strike and working conditions at the University.
Why are we on strike?
Jobs at the University of Nottingham are at risk. A scheme called “Future Nottingham” has already resulted in hundreds of staff leaving, increasing workload on everyone left and making it harder to deliver services and teaching to students.
Phase 2 of Future Nottingham is threatening hundreds of job cuts.
These cuts are a choice. The unions have presented alternative proposals and attempted to negotiate. Industrial action is a last resort as managers didn’t listen.
Who is on strike?
UCU includes academic staff and administrative and professional staff. UNISON represents some professional staff, estates and facilities, and childcare. We all work together to keep the university running!
Industrial action 101
What is a picket?
This is the visible aspect of industrial action: workers standing outside their place of work, to draw attention to the issues. Pickets are joyful. Come to talk and snack!
What is industrial action at university?
Strike: withdrawal of 100% of labour, no pay for that day.
Action Short of Strike: staff work strictly to contract and refuse to do all the overwork that has become customary… This means not working outside of standard hours, not catching up on work missed on strike days, and not covering work for absent colleagues.
What’s the point of industrial action?
Industrial action is often the withdrawal of labour. It is the collective action taken by workers to make visible the value of their labour and the need for managers to show respect & provide adequate remuneration to keep institutions running well, for the benefit of students and staff.
Industrial action is the last resort when managers don’t engage in meaningful talks. The disruption forces managers to work with us to find solutions. It is also a way of reminding workers that they are not alone, that there are structural problems that they can’t carry on their own, and that a different world is possible.
What’s a union?
Unions are groups of workers organised to protect & improve working conditions. They negotiate with employers on pay, campaign for workers’ rights & support individual members.
What can students do?
Students’ voices matter in uni decisions. Use your voice!
- Email the University Council (the governing body) to explain the impact of the strike and ask management to come to an agreement with the unions
- Attend our teachouts and rallies in Trent Courtyard
- Follow @UoNUCU on social media
- Talk to fellow students — pass on information!
