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Five days of strikes will end the current mandate for industrial action – and UCU have agreed to UCEA’s proposal for a joint review of sector finances.
The marking and assessment boycott - which has affected the progression and continuation of an unknown number of students across the sector this year - has ended as of today.
Some 60 per cent of members who responded to the informal poll conducted by the union were in favour of suspending the action. The union has written to employers formally withdrawing the boycott, though other forms of action short of a strike will remain in place until the mandate ends on 30 September. The decision will result in staff being asked to complete outstanding markets - at Cambridge, for instance, staff who complete all marking by the end of 30 September will see all pay deductions returned, whereas a general deadline of 14 October has been set.
The University and College Union (UCU) has elected to end the current mandate for industrial action with five days of strike action, running in most of the 140 providers involved between Monday 25 to Friday 29 September - around the start of term for many (though not all) of those involved. Details of a ballot for a new mandate will be announced "shortly".
The union has also agreed to the proposal put forward by UCEA back in June for a joint review of sector finances. This was initially suggested as an independent, expert, review to inform future New JNCHES negotiation rounds.
UCEA has responded, welcoming the end of the MAB but expressing "disappointment" regarding the strike action. It also welcome UCU’s acceptance of proposals for facilitated talks to develop the joint review of sector finances, and the resumption of talks on pay-related matters alongside other unions.
A letter from UCU chief executive Jo Grady to UCEA has been published.