The University and College Union (UCU) has overwhelmingly backed plans for industrial action in a ballot held earlier this week. The vote by academics at 69 universities comes as part of an ongoing dispute over changes to pensions.
The result may lead to a marking boycott and a refusal to set exams. It could stop students from being set coursework or receiving formal marks and feedback.
Margaret Watson, President of Oxford UCU, told Cherwell, “In the national UCU ballot that closed at noon on Monday this week, 78% voted for strike action and 87% for action short of a strike. The turnout was the highest that UCU has had in a national higher education ballot since 2006, and this is all the more remarkable given that the draft proposals were only announced to members of the USS pension scheme at the end of July, and the UCU consultation and ballot took place largely during what, in Oxford, is the Long Vacation.
“The ballot result indicates the strength of feeling among our members across the country and their determination to resist the threat to their retirement income: I have spoken to members in Oxford who have told me that they have never before voted for industrial action, but that the threat to their pensions is so grave that on this occasion they have done so.”
The ballot comes after the Universities UK (UUK) proposed changes to the current pension scheme for university staff. According to UCU modelling, under the proposed pension scheme changes a 40 year-old professor who joins the scheme at 25 and retires at 66 on a salary of £75,000 stands to lose £230,251.
Watson added, “Our own employer, the University of Oxford, submitted a constructive and sensible response to the consultation by UUK. If other university employers around the country take a similarly enlightened view of the situation, there is good reason to hope that the current national dispute can be resolved by negotiation rather than by the taking of industrial action. I strongly believe that industrial action should only ever be the very last resort, and I am firmly of the view that if other universities respond as our own has done, a negotiated within our reach.”
UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt said, “UCU members at universities across the UK have made it quite clear today that they reject the radical changes being proposed for their pensions. We will go into talks on Wednesday hopeful that we can resolve the current impasse.
“However, we will go into that meeting with a serious mandate from members that they need to see real improvements. If the employers do not address our concerns then we will meet on Friday to determine what forms of disruptive action we take and when they would start.’
Liam Biser, a PPEist at Oriel, commented, “I support the lecturers right to vote and strike if they so choose. However I feel they have a responsibility towards the students and their decision does conflict with this, which I think is unacceptable.”
One English undergraduate from Wadham said, “I realise that this vote is over pension cuts but I find it hard to justify industrial action by lecturers when it is the students who are going to lose out most by their action. I resent paying £9000 a year for an empty lecture theatre.”
A University of Oxford spokesperson told Cherwell, “The University will always respect the right of individuals to take part in lawful industrial action. If such action should go ahead, contingency plans will be in place aimed at minimising any disruption or inconvenience to students and staff.”
