UCU picketer from 2018 with UNISON supporters

HE Pay 2019: Ballot results
Around 66% of UNISON members in England, Wales and Scotland who took part in the industrial action ballot voted for industrial action.

Unfortunately, the ballot turnout did not meet the 50% required by the Trade Union Act (2016). It is therefore unlawful for UNISON members to join UCU colleagues in the coming strikes.

Although this is very disappointing, we are really proud that yet again our branch returned a very strong result, with some of, if not the best percentages in the country. So a big thanks to all of you who took part and gave a very clear message that you were prepared to stand together and take action to secure better pay for yourselves and your colleagues.

Find out more about the UNISON pay ballot.

With Unite’s ballot also failing to reach the threshold (despite a strong YES vote from those who did vote) we are now in the uncomfortable position of having a planned strike on campus that we cannot be a direct part of. However, there are still things you can do to show your support.

UCU strike, picket lines and unfair requests
As the UCU pay ballot turnout exceeded the 50% threshold, Sussex is one of 60 universities which is due to see eight days of strike action, from Monday 25 November to Wednesday 4 December. UCU members will also begin 'action short of a strike', which involves things like working strictly to contract, not covering for absent colleagues and refusing to reschedule lectures lost to strike action.

(Sussex UCU’s ballot over changes to the USS pensions also exceeded the threshold so their members will be taking action over both of these separate disputes.)

UNISON colleagues coming onto campus will unavoidably need to cross UCU picket lines to be able to do their jobs. We know that many members will be very uncomfortable about this, and will also want to know how they can best support their colleagues taking part in the UCU action.

As you approach the picket lines, we suggest that you take the time to speak to the picketers and make it clear that you support them, but that you are a UNISON member and so cannot legally strike yourself. We also encourage you to go and chat to them during breaks and before/after work, to show your solidarity. To stay on the right side of the law, make sure  you stand near, but not on, the picket line itself and do not try and dissuade anyone else from crossing it.

UNISON is also advising that members should not cover, or be asked to cover, work that would usually be done by a colleague who is taking lawful industrial action. If you are put in a difficult position over this, and don’t feel able to refuse, please contact your area rep, or one of the following committee members, straight away for advice and back up:

Luke Murphy: Luke.Murphy@sussex.ac.uk
Laura McNulty: L.Mcnulty@sussex.ac.uk
Claire Colburn: C.Colburn@sussex.ac.uk

Thanks again to all those of you who took part in the ballot. We recognise that the strikes will have an impact on students in the short-term, however, as university workers we also believe that there are more long-term and lasting benefits for students if their teachers, professional services and other support staff are properly valued in their work.

And of course, some of our students may well end up working in universities themselves after they graduate.