Tuesday 20-03-2018 - 18:10

*UPDATE 20/03/18*

For the past several weeks, University lecturers and staff have been striking to save their pensions, fearing that they’ll potentially lose £200,000, demanding that UUK come back to the negotiating table to reconsider changes to their pension scheme.

The University of Salford Students’ Union Council, composed of Salford Students’, voted overwhelmingly in favour of supporting the strikes, pointing out that the long term objectives of strike action is imperative to the education of Salford students to ensure that the high standard and quality of teaching is preserved.

The University of Salford Students’ Union has been taking steps to hold the University to account on providing adequate provision in the face of the strikes.

The Students’ Union Trustee Board raised their concerns with Neil Fowler, the Dean of Students, asking what provision has been put into place for students that will miss lectures. In addition to this, we sent a letter to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Helen Marshall, asking a series of questions about what steps the University is taking and whether these strikes constituted Salford students getting compensation. You can find the Vice-Chancellors response here.

The Students’ Union has also released a handy ‘Frequency Asked Questions’ on the Strikes, which you can find on our advice pages. 

We have also been supporting striking lecturers, in the snow, cold and the rain, the Students’ Union has been providing tea and coffee to the strikers.

If you think that any mitigation the University has put in place to replace lost teaching and supervision sessions has been inadequate, and that this loss has resulted in you being academically disadvantaged; then may be able to make a formal complaint. Details of how to do so are contained in the FAQ below.

Additionally we would encourage you to contact the Vice-Chancellor (Helen Marshall) with general comments on the University Management’s failure to resolve the strike.

It’s important that every student vocalises their displeasure towards the University for not taking adequate steps to mitigate the results of the strikes and their in-action which has affected many students.

You can contact Helen at this email address: vice-chancellor@salford.ac.uk.  

**

READ THE UPDATED FAQ'S ON THE STRIKE

 

Statement 21/02/18

Many students have contacted us regarding the upcoming lecturer strikes and asked questions about the Students’ Union’s position. Please see a statement on this below from the Sabbatical Officers.  

UCU Strike

The University of Salford Students’ Union is proud to stand in solidarity with the University College Union (UCU) – the Trade Union for many academic staff at the University of Salford. The proposal by UUK (Universities UK) to change their pension scheme will result in an average lecturer losing approximately £10,000 a year in retirement. 

This action has been taken as a last resort as negotiations between universities and UCU have broken down at a national level. We know that this will cause disruption for students – a strike by its very nature is to cause disruption. Though the strike may be frustrating for many of you, the objective of our position is to ensure better long-term support for our academics, and a happy and engaged workforce that can offer you the very best student experience. We need great lecturers to come to Salford and work with us – maintaining the current pension scheme is central to that. 

We are encouraging the University to pressure UUK to enter back in to meaningful negotiations for a quick resolution, while lobbying to hold the University to account, ensuring that you receive the education that you have been promised and you can achieve the degree you set out to achieve.  Our priorities are to make sure the University:
-Communicates information surrounding the debate clearly to students.
-Considers where and how students might be affected.
-Find ways to mitigate the impact on students.
-Considers the impact of the strike on students’ pockets, and ensures that travel costs for wasted journeys are reimbursed. 

If you are concerned about your education being affected by the strikes, write to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford using this UCU handy tool.

Zamzam Ibrahim (President) 

Emily Voss-Bevan (Health and Social Care Officer) 

Famous Dekeri (Business and Law Officer) 

Jon Lyons (Arts and Media Officer) 

Kobby Ofori (Science and Technology Officer)

 

FAQs

Why are staff striking?

University and College Union (UCU) are taking strike action in response to decisions to change the way their pension scheme, called the “Universities Superannuation Scheme” (USS), works.

For more information on the reasons for the strike please watch this video:  https://youtu.be/njFZCArmDLw

 

When is it happening?

The strike will take place over 14 days during February and March:  22-23 February, 26-28 February, 05-08 March, and 12-16 March. 

There is a chance that all or some of the strike days won’t go ahead if UCU and UUK reach an agreement.

 

Why has the SU taken this stance? 

In line with Union Council Policy, the SU is mandated to support striking staff in whatever action they choose to take action against attacks on their jobs or working conditions. Find the policy here.

 

What has the University said? 

Find a message from the University of Salford here.

 

How does this affect me? 

Answers to the following questions can be found in the FAQs section on the University’s strike action page here:
-How students will be affected?
-Will my lectures and tutorials go ahead?
-I have assignment due later this semester, what should I do?
-Will my examinations go ahead?
-Will my work still be marked?
-Will I still be able to graduate or to progress to my next year/level of study?
-Will I get a refund on my tuition fee?
-What should I do if I feel my studies are affected?

If you still have any questions please contact us at students-union@salford.ac.uk

If you think that your degree has been seriously impacted by the strike action and want some advice please contact our advice team at advicecentre–ussu@salford.ac.uk

 

What should I do if lectures and classes are cancelled? 

If you come to campus and find out your lecture or class is cancelled, you can use that time by studying in the library; or utilising other space across campus for any group work etc. The University has said that they will “make every effort to ensure your studies are not unduly disrupted”. 

 

If I support the strike what should I do? 

There are a number of things you can do to support the members of UCU in their industrial action:
-Tell your lecturers you support their fight.
-Complain to the University about the changes to pensions and how the strike has impacted you by writing to the Vice-Chancellor here.
-Do not cross the Picket Line.

 

What is a Picket Line? 

Some staff members will create a “Picket Line” – a symbolic boundary set by strikers in areas including the entrance of a building. 

 

What happens to the money that the University has saved from not paying staff when they are striking? 

All of these funds have been ring-fenced and will be put back into the student experience. 

 

Who is UCU? 

The University and College Union (UCU) represents over 110,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK.

 

Who is UUK?

Universities UK (UUK) is the representative organisation for the UK's universities. It has formed its pensions benefit proposal following consultation with employers, drawing together the views of employers responsible for 92% of USS active scheme members. 

 

What is USS? 

Universities Superannuation Scheme is one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and is the principal scheme for academic and comparable staff in UK universities and other higher education and research institutions with over 350 employers participating in it.