Update on UCU strike action

Tuesday, 06 March 2018

The third period of University and College Union (UCU) industrial action is now underway, running from Monday 5 to Thursday 8 March. The impact of the action to date has varied across the University, but many scheduled classes and other services and activities have taken place as normal.

The Strike Operations Group, chaired by Pro-Vice-Chancellor Gavin Brooks, has been working with Schools to try and mitigate the disruption to our students as far as reasonably possible. This has focused particularly on making up for missed teaching and managing the impact on assessments. This has resulted in additional work for some colleagues who are not participating in the industrial action, and the Group is very grateful for these efforts to support our students.

We continue to keep students updated via the Me@Reading portal and the Essentials webpages. The Vice-Chancellor and the RUSU student officers will be hosting their termly session with students on Friday 9 March from 10-11am, in Palmer 108. The format will be an open Q&A on any topic of importance to students, including the current industrial action.

The final period of action is scheduled for five days from Monday 12 to Friday 16 March. Universities UK, on behalf of employers, and the UCU met informally last week and have returned to negotiations this week with the support of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

We will continue to keep you updated on any developments.