STUDENT SLIDE DECK WELCOME 1 2 3 4

STUDENT SLIDE DECK

WELCOME 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 2 Why are some people taking industrial action? What is industrial action? What action can UCU members take? When might it happen? How could it impact on you? How will we support you? What should I do if I am on a study visa? How do I make a complaint? How you can help yourself? What happens next?

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION? • The USS pension scheme is big – over 200, 000 members and 340 employers • The scheme needs more money for the future and everyone has been asked to pay more • Employers are paying an extra £ 250 million a year, 65% of the increased cost • UCU members don’t believe they should pay more for their pension and want employers to pay all the increased costs • USS employers must balance what they pay to the pension scheme with the needs of all their people and their wider community 3

WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION? • The 2019 staff pay negotiations ran last year • The five trade unions represented the 325, 000 staff covered and UCEA represented the 147 participant higher education institutions. • Pay increases for staff have been introduced from 1 August 2019 of between 3. 65% and 1. 8%. This is compared to 1. 7% inflation in prices in the year to August. • Separately, several institutions have also made additional payments meaning twothirds of academic colleagues will have seen pay increases of 4. 8% in 2019. • UCU want employers to increase their pay, and improve working conditions 4

WHAT ACTION CAN UCU MEMBERS TAKE? There are two types of industrial action: • Action short of a strike (ASOS) is when someone does not do some part of their normal job – like marking coursework. An employer would normally deduct a proportion of pay when someone takes this action. • A strike is when someone chooses not to work at all. Normally an employer would not pay for any days not worked. 5

WHEN MIGHT IT HAPPEN? • Action short of a strike can happen at any time while the dispute is in progress • UCU have asked members to strike for 14 days between 20 February to 13 March. • Strikes won’t take place every day and some universities will strike on different days, depending on reading week. • All other university staff are expected to work normally 6

HOW COULD IT IMPACT YOU? There may be no impact at all and you should always attend scheduled classes. But: • Your teaching and learning may be cancelled at short notice • Some university facilities like laboratories or workshops may not be available for study • We might ask you to come to re-arranged classes or use online learning materials • We might need to provide extra support if you have a disability IF YOU ARE NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, GET IN TOUCH 7

HOW WILL WE SUPPORT YOU? To help you we are planning the following: • CONTENT FOR PLANNED ACTION AND SUPPORT. THIS MAY BE SPLIT INTO MULTIPLE SECTIONS. • CLEAR POINTS FOR COMMUNICATION 8

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I AM ON A STUDY VISA? • The strike action will not affect your international study visa • We will continue to monitor attendance as normal • Any classes missed will be recorded as authorised absence • Contact the international office if you are worried 9

HOW YOU CAN HELP YOURSELF? Here a few things you can do during industrial action • Watch out for the regular messages from us about the strike and what we are doing to help • Ask your lecturer if they will be on strike so you can plan ahead • Prepare in advance by asking your lecturer for advice and guidance on what to study and for any notes • Most importantly if you need help please talk to us 10

HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT? • We’ll be doing all we can to help you during the industrial action • If worried speak to your lecturer or course leader or contact us at [CENTRAL CONTACT POINT] • To make a complaint contact [CONTACT POINT] where you can see how to do this • We will get in touch with you as soon as possible to see how we can resolve your complaint 11

HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT? [ENGLAND & WALES VERSION] • If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint, you can then complain to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) in England Wales. This is an independent body that can consider your complaint and whether you are due any compensation. 12

HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT? [SCOTLAND VERSION] • If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint, you can contact the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman This is an independent body that can consider your complaint and whether you are due any compensation. 13

HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT? [NORTHERN IRELAND VERSION] • If you are unhappy with the outcome of the complaint, you can contact the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman. This is an independent body that can consider your complaint and whether you are due any compensation. 14

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? • UCU and USS employers have to work together to agree a way forward for the pension scheme • This national dispute can only be resolved by genuine and open dialogue • We will do all we can to help you during the industrial action and to limit any impact on you • Help us to help you – tell us what you need and if there is anything extra we can do to support you • Any questions? 15