Update for all students: UCU Industrial Action (25 April 2023)
Following our update on 5 April we can now provide you with some further information about the continuing industrial action by the University and College Union (UCU) that represents some academic and academic-related staff at the University.
In the ongoing dispute related to pay an conditions, UCU has announced that it will extend its Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) to include a marking and assessment boycott effective from Thursday, 20 April 2023.
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We also want to assure you that all exams and assessments will continue to take place as planned. You should continue to study and prepare for your exams or other assessments that are scheduled according to the published deadlines.
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Our priority remains to minimise the impact of this boycott and to ensure that you will receive your marks and feedback, and that you are able to progress to the next stage of study or to graduate as expected - as long as you meet the requirements of your course.
We are extremely disappointed by this escalation of industrial action after the employers’ representative body UCEA agreed a settlement proposal with UCU and other trade unions through the conciliation service ACAS. This resulted in a proposed pay award of at least 5% for staff from August 2023 with almost half of this to be paid from February 2023, some six months ahead of the usual pay uplift date. The proposed settlement was rejected by UCU members in a consultative ballot.
This is a national dispute involving 144 employers, including many other universities and higher education institutions. The University of Birmingham cannot act independently to resolve this dispute.
We have, however, recognised the impact of the increased cost of living on our staff and so, in addition to the nationally negotiated 3% pay increase for the current year, the University has also provided all academic and related staff with an exceptional, non-consolidated pay uplift of 2% for this year.
What is a marking and assessment boycott?
This means that some staff may not carry out marking and associated assessment activities/duties. This also covers other assessment-related work such as exam invigilation, the processing of marks and preparation for and running of exam boards.
Firstly, we want to assure you that all exams and assessments will continue to take place as planned. You should continue to study and prepare for your exams or other assessments that are scheduled according to the published deadlines.
Any impact is likely to vary according to your course or department and the vast majority of staff will be marking and carrying out their duties as normal.
Secondly, our priority is to minimise the impact of this boycott and to ensure that you will receive your marks and feedback, and that you are able to progress to the next stage of study or to graduate as expected - as long as you meet the requirements of your course. In previous challenging circumstances, including a global pandemic, we have always ensured that students are able to complete their studies, progress, and graduate.
If you are likely to experience a delay in receiving grades and/or feedback as a result of industrial action then you will be notified by your Head of School.
We will continue to do everything possible to ensure that your learning outcomes are not affected by this action – and we will continue to keep you informed of any changes in these circumstances.
We have updated our frequently asked questions and industrial action webpages here.
Everyone in the University community would wish to see an end to this dispute through reasonable negotiation and resolution. Industrial action always presents a challenging time for the University and the sector as a whole, with a range of views felt by staff and students. It is important that we remain respectful of each other’s views on the matters in dispute and the decisions individual staff make over whether to support the industrial action.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.