DUCU to Take Industrial Action Over University’s Financial Deficit

It’s your decision. Not all lecturers strike, which means some, or all, of your classes might be going ahead as normal. 

Lecturers do not have to tell their students beforehand if they are going on strike – the intention of striking is to cause disruption. However, your individual lecturers might tell you in advance if they are striking via email or blackboard. This is at their discretion. 

Some students choose not to attend classes in solidarity with striking staff. This is respected, but if your classes are running, you will still be marked absent so keep that in mind.  

Students may be impacted by the strike action in many different ways. In light of the combined impact of these factors, the University will be taking a ‘no detriment’ approach when confirming grades and degree outcomes. This means that the Exam Boards will take strike action into account when confirming final grades and degree classifications to make sure that no-one is negatively affected. 

To find out more information about what this means and how this works, please visit: dundee.ac.uk/guides/no-detriment-what-does-it-mean 

The scale of the strike action is unprecedented. Therefore, it is unclear how the strike action will affect students until it happens. The University does have a duty to minimise disruption to students where possible, and the No Detriment Policy will be put in place during times of strike action.  

DUSA will also be supporting students however we can during times of strike action, and this remains our top priority. You can get in touch with our Advice and Support Team, or any member of the Executive if you have any queries or concerns.  

We will keep you updated on any news through this page, emails, and social media at @dusadundee 

If classes are cancelled due to the strike action, then those classes will be dismissed in the calculation of your attendance record. Therefore, if you hold a Tier 4 visa, your status will not be affected by any industrial action. 

If your classes are still running as normal, you will still be expected to attend. 

You may see UCU members protesting outside the Tower building. Staff may ask you not to cross their picket line, but they are not allowed to prevent you from entering buildings or going about your day as normal. 

Action short of a strike typically means that staff will work to the minimum of what is required by them in their own contract 
 

In practice, this might look like: 

• Not taking part in extra or voluntary activities (“working to rule”) 

• Not covering for absent colleagues 

• Not uploading material related to cancelled lectures/classes 

• Not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action 

• Marking and assessment boycotts. 

This list is not exhaustive – it is not yet known what ASOS will mean specifically for Dundee at this time. 

If you would like to find out more information about how you can support striking staff, speak to them! 

University Student Services: dundee.ac.uk/student-services 

DUSA Advice and Support team: dusa.co.uk/advice