UCU ballot update: possible industrial action
Friday, 01 November 2019
Dear colleagues,
As reported on the Staff Portal in September, the University and College Union (UCU) notified the University that it would be balloting its members to seek support for industrial action relating to two disputes – the national pay bargaining process and the ongoing USS pension dispute.
This ballot was conducted at a regional, rather than national, level and closed on Wednesday 30 October. The University of Reading UCU branch turnout was 55.41% (of 706 members eligible to vote, from our total staff population of 4,300), with the outcome that members supported Action Short of Strike (ASOS) and full strike action. We have not yet received formal notification from the UCU regarding the timing and nature of any industrial action. The UCU are required to provide us with 14 days’ notice.
We have a responsibility to minimise disruption for our students and colleagues as far as we reasonably can and, as such, the University will respond proportionately to the UCU action.
We will keep you updated as soon as further information becomes available. A similar message will be shared with students, with advice that further information and Frequently Asked Questions will be provided when we receive notice from UCU about the timing and nature of any action here.
Kind regards,
John Brady
Director of Human Resources