DUCU Strike 21 September to 23 October

We are writing to update you following confirmation that Dundee University and College Union (DUCU) will take strike action from today Monday 21 September until Friday 23 October, covering the first five weeks of Semester One.

We know that the prospect of industrial action at the beginning of a new academic year may cause uncertainty and concern. Unless your School or lecturer tells you otherwise, you should continue to attend scheduled classes and submit assignments as normal.

The University has advised that:

• If a class is cancelled because of strike action, this will not negatively affect your attendance record, including for students whose attendance is monitored as part of their visa requirements.

• Faculties will take disruption caused by industrial action into account when considering assessments and examinations through the University’s No Detriment process.

• You do not need to submit mitigating circumstances solely because your teaching has been affected by the strike.

• Libraries are expected to remain open, although some Professional Services, including Library and IT services, may also experience disruption.

If your experience does not reflect this guidance, or you encounter problems with any of these arrangements, please get in touch with DUSA so that we can support you and raise concerns directly with the University.

Why is strike action taking place?

At its meeting on September 8th, University Court approved the use of compulsory redundancy should the University’s target staff reductions not be achieved through voluntary measures.

DUCU had called on the University to rule out compulsory redundancies as a condition for calling off the planned strike action. As the University has not agreed to do so, the strike will go ahead.

Where does DUSA stand?

As has been the case since the beginning of our terms, the DUSA Executive remains opposed to cuts which negatively impact students, their education, and the support available to them.

Ahead of the Court meeting, we also wrote directly to the University Executive Group urging them to rule out compulsory redundancies. In response, the Interim Principal told us that the University did not consider it possible to make that commitment.

We recognise that five weeks of strike action at the beginning of Semester One could have a significant impact on students.

At the same time, we recognise why staff have reached this point. The prospect of compulsory redundancy has created significant uncertainty for colleagues about their jobs and futures at Dundee.

For us, these are not competing principles. You deserve the education and support you came to Dundee for, and staff deserve dignity, fair treatment, and certainty about their employment. Our responsibility is to stand up for students throughout this period while continuing to press the University to address the circumstances that have led to industrial action.

We have also reached out to all three campus trade unions – DUCU, UNISON and Unite – to maintain an open dialogue with staff and understand their concerns directly.

Supporting staff

Behind discussions about staffing numbers and financial savings are people facing real uncertainty about their livelihoods and futures. If you would like to show solidarity with staff, you can do so however you feel comfortable. This might include speaking with staff about why they are taking action, sending messages of support, or joining staff on picket lines.

Equally, we understand that students will have a range of views about industrial action. It is completely reasonable to be concerned or frustrated about disruption to your education, and DUSA will continue to represent and support you regardless of your views on the strike.

If your studies are affected

We will monitor the impact of industrial action throughout the five-week period and raise student concerns directly with the University.

If you experience significant disruption, are unsure about your rights, or feel that the impact on your education has not been appropriately addressed, please get in touch with DUSA. The Exec can be reached through our individual inboxes or collectively at representation@dusa.co.uk.

Our Advice & Support team is also available at advice@dusa.co.uk if you need advice or support during this period.

These will undoubtedly be difficult weeks for our University community. We will continue to communicate openly with you as the situation develops and challenge the University where students are not receiving the education or support they should.

In solidarity,

The DUSA Executive