Unsure whether and how to vote? Here are some reasons we’ve come across while talking to members this week for why you may be reluctant to vote. And some responses from us.
You have only till Tuesday 23 September to post your ballot to be safe! Ballots must arrive by Friday 26 Sep.
– ‘some assessment tariff changes have been beneficial (e.g. module leadership of L4 modules in LSS, for example)’
True! But they are a minority compared to how tariffs are generally being detrimental in terms of staff losing time to do the same tasks. We are not challenging these beneficial changes. First, the module leadership tariffs were approved the year before this one, so it is not affected. Second, the dispute is about the changes that are detrimental to the working conditions of the staff.
– ‘the changes haven’t affected me as much as I initially thought they would’
If your WLP is not filled up to 1600h, it could be next year. These are slow bleed cuts, they might affect us gradually. And remember – there have been numerous attempts to change the WLP framework to our detriment over previous years (e.g. lecture preparation time, increased Academic Advising responsibilities with no increase in tariff) – so a vote in favour of industrial action is a message to the VCG that adding to our workloads in this way cannot continue.
– ‘recruitment/financial problems are not the university’s fault but the government’s/general economic context’
To some extent, yes! But it is our job to scrutinise the university’s finances and dispute some of their decisions. See our rationale below for why we believe the university could make different financial decisions that prioritise the quality of teaching and staff wellbeing.
– ‘I have no sense of how many people are losing research hours.’
We don’t have this data as the university does not want to release it, but our experience talking to members considering grievances and the university’s plan to make savings from these cuts does suggest they are widespread. All bands have lost research hours, so only a minority of staff saw an increase to their research time due to an exceptionally good year.
– ‘the issues and demands are not big enough to go on strike, let’s keep our powder dry for now’
Our view is that the issues will get worse if we don’t take a stand now and show strength and solidarity. If you do not act now, we will legitimise the potential narrative that we do not need as many people to do the work. Protect your job! A vote for industrial action also strengthens the position of your Branch’s Negotiation Committee when we negotiate with the University across a broader range of policies which affect your terms and conditions – we need your backing to negotiate from a position of strength!
– ‘I am not sure what I’m voting for.’
We will decide on any action as a collective, through meetings and individual discussions with members. We have 6 months to take action from the day of the ballot results, and we have many options before us, so right now we’re just voting for the power to do something if we decide to.
– ‘I can’t afford to go on strike, and access to strike fund payments is too uncertain/may not be enough to cover expenses esp. rent or mortgage.’
This is of course very legitimate, no one can really afford to, but we know many of us are much more precarious than others. If it comes to action that leads to losing pay, we will discuss this and do our best to support those in this position.
– ‘it seems the dispute is about research hours and this doesn’t affect me because I was already on a low tier allocation.’
The dispute is not just about research. It is JUST AS MUCH about teaching working conditions and workload planning, and it is about the hiring (or in this case, firing) of Associate Lecturers.
– ‘it seems the dispute is about research hours and this doesn’t affect me because I am on a high tier allocation.’
Unions are about solidarity and showing collective strength. As the saying goes, if they haven’t come for you yet, they might next time, and you’ll be glad to have people behind you fighting for you then.
Regarding the financial situation of the university: buildings and concrete don’t teach students, we do
Senior management has signed off on investing millions of pounds in this financial year (2025/26) on finishing off the Clive Booth Student Village, whilst targeting millions of pounds of savings on staff costs for academics through the reduction of assessment and research hours, and millions of pounds of savings on professional services staff costs as part of the Strategic Transformation Programme.
Obviously good quality estates and infrastructure are key to a university. But the scale of these investments is jarring, to say the least. The demoralising effects of the tariff changes on staff seem a very hard price to pay if the savings achieved through these changes represent only a fraction of these capital investments…
This is an insult to staff. It is also a large gamble based on an ambitious recruitment strategy so as to fill these new student halls. It seems to forget that ultimately, buildings and concrete don’t teach students, we do. Great estates and infrastructure are only worth their value if the people teaching in them feel rewarded and supported for their work.
See the University’ financial statements (p26) published in December 2024: