UCU Announces First Strike Date

Flavia Gouveia

The University College Union (UCU) has confirmed that over 70,000 staff at 150 universities, including Queen’s University Belfast, will strike on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

As students brace themselves for more disruption to their studies the UCU warned that “the clock is ticking for university bosses to make staff a serious offer and avoid disruption.”

This announcement follows a statement made on January 12 in which the Union stated that universities involved in the ongoing pay dispute would be “hit with 18 days of strike action before April”. 

In a statement, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “Whilst the cost-of-living crisis rages, university vice-chancellors are dragging their feet and refusing to use the vast wealth in the sector to address over a decade of falling pay, rampant casualisation and massive pension cuts.”

“UCU remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement, but if university employers don't get serious and fast, more strike action will follow in February and March.”

UCU has said that details of the remaining 17 days of strike action will be confirmed next week.

Flavia Gouveia is The Scoop’s Science and Environment Editor and a current Journalism MA student at Ulster University.