UCU Strike Action
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What is UCU Strike Action?

Recently the University and College Union (UCU) has voted to take further industrial action relating to working conditions and pensions; this strike is happening nationally.

Important Infomation

The Marking and Assessment Boycott (MAB) will commence on Thursday the 20th of April, and means that UCU are asking their members, in universities that are a part of the pay and working conditions dispute, to cease all marking and associated activities, including invigilating. 

We understand that many students will be concerned over the interruption to their planned assessment schedules and your SU Officers will continue to voice these worries to the University Senior Leadership Team. We will continue communications with students throughout the strikes to update on any changes or developments as this continues. This boycott is a new experience for us all, but we are working hard to ensure that students can progress onto further study or graduation. 

It is crucial that you sit your scheduled assessments/examinations as normal, as it's not yet clear which courses will be affected. 

If anyone is affected by the upcoming strike, we urge you to contact our Advice and Support Team who will be on hand to offer support and assistance. You can book time to speak with them via advice@swansea-union.co.uk. You can also contact your Full-time Officer team at fto@swansea-union.co.uk. 

 

From your President

Esyllt Rosser, SU President 2022-23

Our Full-time Officer team are dedicated to supporting our students throughout this period of industrial action. We understand that this new wave of strike action will be concerning and upsetting for many of our students, and this experience is new for us all. We are meeting regularly with the University and UCU members to ensure that we are able to consistently update our students on the boycott. We are currently working on ensuring that all students will be able to progress onto the next year of study and/or graduate this academic year.

We understand that this situation will be adding to an already stressful time period for you all and are working on ensuring that you will be able to progress as usual this year. We will keep you updated on all information provided to us. 

If you are in need of support during this time, please contact our Advice and Support Centre on advice@swansea-union.co.uk. 

 
 
 

FAQ's

What services will be open?

The Students' Union, University, services and catering facilities will all operate as normal throughout this period of industrial action. 

 
Will the strikes affect my visa?

As stated on the University’s website: “Your visa should not be impacted by industrial action, and we will follow guidance from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if needed.”

 
Will students get tuition fee refunds?

According to the University’s page on Industrial Action:

“Tuition fees contribute to many areas of your University experience, alongside learning and teaching, such as facilities, services, including the Library, and pastoral and extracurricular provision."

We are committed to ensuring our students can achieve their learning outcomes and are not disadvantaged by industrial action.

In line with other Universities across the UK, we are not planning any reduction in fees or the refunding of tuition fees.

Students can send queries related to this issue to the industrial action inbox student-IA@swansea.ac.uk

 
Should I attend my examinations?

It is crucial that you attend and fulfil your scheduled assessments and examinations as planned, as it is not yet clear which courses will be affected.

The University and Students' Union are working on ensuring that students can progress and/or graduate as planned this academic year. 

 
Why are staff striking?

Universities across the UK are involved in the action due to the UCU dispute over a dispute to the national pay and working conditions claim.

To learn more about UCU and the reasons behind the strike action, take a look at UCU’s website: UCU - Home

UCU's members are eager to work closely with students to ensure mutual understanding of the situation and why staff have taken this course of action, the strike action is not aimed at students directly but are unfortunately affected within the dispute.

For more details about the Marking and Assessment Boycott directly (MAB) please see UCU's website: UCU - Marking and assessment boycott FAQs

 
 

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