University staff returned to picketing university buildings, as tensions show between UCU members and national union management.
University of Edinburgh was one of the 42 universities nationwide on strike for five consecutive days in the week 25 September.
The industrial action comes as part of an ongoing dispute between the UCU and the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).
The UCU cite “Four Fights” in their reasons for striking, listed as: “a fair pay deal, action on reducing the pay gap, the elimination of casualisation and reduction of workloads.”
From the picket lines, staff have voiced their frustrations about being back on strike at the start of the academic year with one UCU member stating:
“Basically I’m frustrated that we have to do this because this could have ended a long time ago, but the management and UCEA have been recalcitrant and reluctant to even come to the negotiating table”.
This strike action comes just three weeks after the ending of the Marking and Assessment Boycott (MAB) by the national branch of the UCU.
Read More: UK Government to consult on minimum service levels for striking university staff
The MAB, which ceased all summative assessment marking, had been in place since April and has resulted in many students being unable to graduate due to incomplete marking.
The decision to end the MAB came after members voted in a ballot called by the Higher Education Committee (HEC).
While some have criticised the ending of the boycott, Vice President of UCU Edinburgh, Elaine Newton-Bruzza, argued: “There are a lot of naysayers saying that the MAB was not effective but I think it was – it made quite a statement and particularly at this university [Edinburgh]”.
Questions over the effectiveness of the MAB form part of a wider concern about unity within the UCU and tensions between members and management.
Speaking on this Newton-Bruzza commented: “it’s tricky within any kind of democratic organisation; there are always going to be differing opinions, I have different opinions than some of the things that have come out of headquarters”.
One UCU member voiced their concerns over the impacts of division on the effectiveness of industrial action:
“I don’t think it’s very helpful to try and stir up division in the union, we’re all trying to do the same thing, we all need to stand together.”
Commenting on morale within the UCU Edinburgh branch, Newton Bruzza said:
“You know we’re still fighting we still have energy and the bosses need to see that – we are not giving up – even though it is hard we are frustrated and sad this is happening but we are still determined.”
Simultaneously chants of: “What do we want? Fair pay! When do we want it? Now!”, could be heard in the background”.
The UCU are currently balloting to renew their mandate.
If renewed this could take industrial action well into 2024.
Image via Sarah Challen Flynn