Industrial Action FAQs

On each strike day some members of staff are likely to refuse to attend work or perform their duties – which may result in some cancelled sessions. The University will, however, be open and operating otherwise normally, including the Main Library, all study spaces and other services across the campus.  

A strike by staff is a rare but entirely legitimate protest within a dispute over pay and conditions. The University respects the rights of Union members to take legitimate strike action, alongside those staff members who do not want to take strike action. The pending strike action is lawful and we would expect all of our colleagues to treat each other and students with respect.

We would also expect that a majority of activity on campus will continue as scheduled. When you come onto campus you may pass members of staff at the entrances to campus who are carrying signs, handing out leaflets and talking to people about the reasons for the strike.

You are likely to encounter picket lines at some of the entrances to campus. A picket line will be made up of staff who are on strike, and they may wish to hand out leaflets or explain why they are on strike. Staff on a picket line cannot prevent other members of the University community (other staff, students or visitors) who are not on strike from accessing the campus as usual. ‘Crossing a picket line’ simply means that you are going about your normal business on campus. You should not be subject to any criticism for passing a picket line on your way to study, play sport or take part in social activities.

By law, picket lines are only allowed on public land, for example on the public paths at the entrances to campus, and not on private land within that area. This means that once you pass through the campus entrances you are on private university land where picketing is not allowed. You may see rallies taking place on campus because the university does recognise the importance of peaceful demonstration and has agreed to a number of union rallies taking place during the period of strike action. You can of course engage with those on the picket line and listen to their views, but you should not be put under any pressure to avoid crossing a picket line. Pickets in the previous strike action were not threatening and it is a criminal offence for pickets to use abusive behavior to people walking past, or crossing the picket line, or to block people or vehicles trying to get into the workplace.  Remember, the vast majority of the University community is working as normal.

As a student you can, of course, choose not to cross a picket line, but you will need to consider and take responsibility for the precise impact that this decision may have on your own studies. For example it would not be considered as an extenuating circumstance if your learning was impacted as a result of your decision not to cross the picket line and, therefore, not to attend lectures and seminars. 

You may have to cross a picket line to access any of the facilities on central campus, depending where picket lines are on any given day.

By law, picket lines are only allowed on public land, for example at the entrances to campus, and not on private land within that area. We cannot at present say where pickets will be, although they are not allowed on campus nor to target specific buildings.

Union members have, in the past, picketed all main entrances to campus. Staff on a picket line cannot prevent other members of the University community (other staff, students or visitors) who are not on strike from accessing the campus as usual. ‘Crossing a picket line’ simply means that you are going about your normal business on campus. You should not be subject to any criticism for passing a picket line on your way to study, play sport or take part in social activities.