Dear BUCU members,

 

To update further on yesterday’s communication, as you know it was the branch committee’s recommendation that we withdraw the strike action planned for today and Monday.

 

This was agreed by a very well-attended members’ meeting yesterday, in order to provide BUCU negotiators more time to clarify and advance negotiations, and seek to reach an agreement with the University management.

 

The members’ meeting included a detailed discussion of achievements made so far through negotiations, but concerns were also raised from the floor about the importance of continuing to press for a number of our core demands, particularly in the area of compulsory redundancies.

 

As a result of this discussion, the following motion was proposed from the floor and overwhelmingly adopted:

 

“We view with grave concern the lack of progress on involuntary redundancies. The first two days of strike action have been suspended in order to allow time for further negotiations. If substantial progress is not made during these further negotiations then BUCU will seek authorisation from UCU for further days of strike action”.

 

BUCU negotiators are now due to enter into further negotiations with the University senior management, and will report back at a further members’ meeting to take place next Friday. This meeting will be presented with another opportunity to accept or reject the recommendation of the branch committee regarding any agreements reached:

 

Next members’ meeting:

Friday 8 March

1-2pm

Room location TBC

 

Please be aware that, unless we are able to make further substantial progress, it is expected that the remaining strike days scheduled are as follows:

 

Next strike dates:

Tuesday 12 March (half day – 9am – 1pm)

Tuesday 19 March (full day strike)

Thursday 21 March (full day strike)