(Source: https://exepose.com/) A wave of University and College Union (UCU) strikes is set to take place in Exeter and across the country throughout February and March. In the lead-up to this extended period of action, Exeter UCU have expressed their “disappointment” in Vice-Chancellor Lisa Roberts for not meeting with Exeter UCU leaders or declaring a public position on these strikes.
The UCU have officially confirmed the dates of strike days throughout this period, with the first strike day set to take place Wednesday 1st February, and the final day of action to take place on Wednesday 22nd March. The full list of dates can be found on the UCU’s website.
This next wave of strike action comes less than three months after three days of national UCU strikes took place in November 2022. It will see an estimated 70 000 staff from 150 UK universities walk out of their jobs.
Exeter UCU spoke to Exeposé about their motivations to strike, stating: “UCU’s decision to call a further 18 days of strikes was the result of our employers’ continued unwillingness to address the various issues that have been negatively impacting our working conditions and our mental health, and the quality of the education we deliver to students. Even the recent pay proposal presented to the union’s negotiators will still leave us earning less in real terms than we earned two decades ago. This is not sustainable and is leading colleagues into debt and poor mental health due to lower real-terms income and impossible workloads.”
