Strike Action Frequently Asked Questions

This guide is intended to answer specific questions about picketing as a member of the Newcastle University UCU branch. For more general guidance about picketing, please refer to the National UCU Guidance.
This guide has been developed by Charlotte Boulton and other Newcastle University UCU colleagues.
We want to make picketing possible for all. If you have any questions, or need support, please contact your departmental reps or UCU.office@newcastle.ac.uk

For Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) please see: National UCU FAQs Action Short of a Strike (ASOS)

CONTENTS

 

Do I need to do anything in advance of the first day of strike?

No! You don’t need to do anything in advance of the first day of strike action!

If you would like to make your own placard sign, getting this made before is a good idea.

You can choose to put an Out of Office message on strike days, if you want to. Below is an example of a message used by Newcastle University UCU members in the past that you can use or adapt:

I am currently unavailable and taking part in the Newcastle University and College Union’s (UCU) strike action to defend jobs and our right to fair workloads. I will not be working on the days I am taking strike action, therefore emails received on the days I am striking will receive no response.

Where do I go on day 1, and at what time?

The first day of picketing is always vital. we will have national news crews there, so please come if you can! If you only join pickets for one day, join on the 1st day!

Go to the Newcastle University UCU Office to sign in for picketing. This helps the branch see the number of people out, and see if there are particular picket areas that need more people to support them. The Newcastle University UCU Office address is 10 Eldon Place.

This is behind Northern Stage and next to the Barras Building. See below for a Google Maps image of the Office. The green circle indicates the door that you will need to go in.

The sign-in sheet is on the big table in the second room of the office. Add your name to the areayou would like to picket at (Please see ‘Where should I stand for picketing?’).

Once you’re in the office, there should be someone around to help you out, please ask!

Then, you can grab an armband, any flyers or signs you’d like to take out with you and head out to your picketing spot!

Some members will be around specifically to welcome first time picketers and walk with them.

Map of location

The office is up a flight of stairs, so unfortunately is not accessible for members who are wheelchair users or have mobility issues with the use of stairs. We have alternative arrangements for signing in when needed; simply come to the Kings’ Gate picket and notify the picket supervisor there (For more on accessibility, please see the accessible inclusive picket lines FAQ).

Striking and picketing is our legal right. We cannot be discriminated against or targeted by the employer for this.

Picketing is a supportive and non-violent environment. Help us make it fun, inclusive, welcoming and festive. It’s a great opportunity to meet lots of different people and take a stand together!

How long do people usually picket for?

Newcastle University UCU usually hold picketing from 8AM – 11AM on strike days. There are no rules on what time you should arrive or leave.

This doesn’t mean that you need to be there for the whole time. Some people picket for the whole time, others start later or leave early. It’s up to you. Even if you can only swing by the picket lines for 15 minutes, the show of solidarity will be appreciated!

After the picketing there’s often a meet up outside the office, or a larger rally to attend.

Sometimes there are Teach outs scheduled at the Hotspur Pub or other nearby locations (off campus, of course). Information on teach outs will be circulated to members and displayed in the UCU office.

Are the official armbands and signs supplied on the day? Do I make signs myself?

Yes, there are official armbands and a selection of signs available in the UCU Office.

There will be a box of UCU armbands near the sign in sheets, just grab one. They will either be stickers which you stick onto your jacket, or velcro armbands.

There are signs available in the office, some printed, some hand made. Feel free to take any placard or sign that you’d like for the day – just remember to return it at the end of your picketing.

If you are able to, do consider making your own placard. We are on strike to say No to job cuts! Although the issues in previous fights are still very live, we may not have any printed sign specific to this fight. If you don’t have time to make a sign before, there will likely be a placard making event at some point.

There will be flyers created by Newcastle University UCU members that you can take out with you to hand out.

Where are the Newcastle University picket lines located?

Newcastle University campus has many entrances and locations; there is not one single picket. Pickets tend to form at main entrance and exit points to campus, usually the largest is outside King’s Gate. Here is a list of the main locations picket lines have formed:

  • Outside King’s Gate
  • Next to INTO Building, opposite Haymarket
  • Claremont Road, Henry Daysh main entrance
  • Outside Philip Robinson Library
  • Outside Business School
  • Outside Medicine School

Where should I stand for picketing?

People tend to stand based on where their department is based on campus. If you are unsure of where this is, ask your departmental union rep. For example, colleagues from Geography, Politics & Sociology usually picket on Claremont Road, as their schools are largely based in the Henry Daysh Building

If you’re unsure, heading to King’s Gate is a safe bet as there will usually be a good crowd of fellow picketers there that you can stand with!

Pickets are a great opportunity to meet members from all over. Members often say this is the best thing about pickets; chatting to new people.

This year we will have a specific picket line for professional services (PS) staff outside the Phillip Robinson Library – all PS staff are welcome!

Some people move between different picketing locations and sometimes there are even picket line runners who run between locations!

What do I wear on the picket line?

Warm clothes! Good boots and socks are absolutely essential. A waterproof and warm jacket, hat and gloves also. Please feel free to dress for effect!

Why do we picket?

Picket lines are there as a visual demonstration of the strike action – the more people, the better!

Whilst we are actively striking even if not at a picket, the picket line is the clearest demonstration of our withdrawal of labour.

But it is important to note that virtual picketing is also an important part of strike action,
particularly as not all members are physically able to picket at Newcastle.

This is a great opportunity to engage students and members of the public. This is why placards and signs are used to increase our visual impact, and hopefully draw attention and interest.

The presence of a picket asks people to consider not crossing; particularly staff in the UCU bargaining unit.
You can, and are encouraged to, hand out leaflets to passersby, and engage people in conversation if they ask about the strike action.
Making students feel welcome is particularly important. Student-staff solidarity groups are often present on pickets. Do invite your students to come and talk to you on the picket! Sometimes chants or songs are started – we’ve even had dances from student solidarity groups!

These both boost morale and add another, vocal layer to our presence on the picket – if people can hear us and see us, we’re hard to ignore!
Being on the picket line is generally a good opportunity to chat to colleagues, meet new
people, and, if you’re lucky, meet some dogs! (Newcastle UCU has some lovely dogs who visit). We often have tea and coffee carts doing the rounds from the office.
Children are welcome on the pickets, and we may even have children specific events and picket days in the past.
So, it’s both a meaningful act of protest and a good opportunity to feel the solidarity and
spirit of your fellow colleagues, united in our solidarity!

What does “crossing the picket line” mean?

Crossing the picket line is a phrase used to describe colleagues who could take strike action, but continue to work anyway. This includes physically ‘crossing’ the picket line by entering campus to work, or continuing to work online.

The reason why crossing the picket line is damaging to industrial action is well summarised by this article: “If workers call a strike, and one of their coworkers crosses that line and goes to work anyway, they’ve harmed their union’s ability to negotiate with the employer, thereby weakening the group’s own collective power.”

What can we do to discourage people from crossing the picket line?

We can politely encourage people (students, co-workers, members of the public, those with a different employer) not to cross the picket line. We cannot, however, prevent them from crossing should they wish to. There is guidance on ‘picketing code of practice’ available on the Government webpages.

What is a rally?

UCU rallies are called to bring members and the public together and show support for the cause.
Rallies often involve other UCU branches from the region, and often other supportive unions, students, activists and politicians who may speak on the topic of the strikes and related political and social justice issues.

These rallies are usually in a public space and are intended to both boost morale of the strikers, and to raise awareness of the strike with the general public.

UCU Newcastle also hosts end of picket rallies at the end of picketing (11AM) to bring all pickets from different areas together with messages of solidarity and plans for the next days of strikes. These are usually either at King’s Gate or outside the union offices.

What is a teach out?

Teach outs are an extension of our picket line activism. They can take the form of workshops, talks, performances, etc. They take place on or near the picket line (or online in some cases) and can involve union members, students, and outside speakers. They can concern topics directly related to strike activity, wider issues in higher education, or broader issues around social justice.

What do I legally have to do in regards to informing the university that I have taken strike action?

Legally, you do not need to inform your manager that you are planning to strike before taking strike action.
It is often the case that management will send out emails/letters asking that you declare in advance whether you will be taking industrial action. This can have the effect of misleading and intimidating members, and will enable your employer to minimise any disruption.

You are under no obligation to inform anyone in advance as to whether you will be taking part in strike action or action short of a strike. UCU will provide your employer with all the information about the action required by law including those categories of members who we are calling on to take action.
Legally, you do need to inform the university that you have participated in strike action. You only have to do this AFTER strike action has taken place. Information on how to do this will be sent to the ucu-announce mailing list.

How are the picket lines accessible and inclusive?

Unfortunately, the union office is not accessible to wheelchair users or others with particular mobility issues. If this presents a problem to you, we have alternative arrangements for signing in, simply come to the Kings’ Gate picket and notify the picket supervisor there. For those unable to stand for extended periods of time, we have portable chairs that can be requested. If you have any other special requirements, please contact UCU.office@newcastle.ac.uk.

How do I claim from the UCU Newcastle local strike fund?

For the upcoming dispute, the Newcastle University UCU branch has created a local hardship fund specifically aimed at assisting hourly paid / casual staff and those for whom the loss of income due to strike action would have an immediate and drastic impact on their household budget from losing income due to strike action. You can find information on how to apply and the policies for the strike fund on this webpage.

Generally, if members are able to afford to wait to claim funds from the national UCU Fighting Fund, they are asked to consider if they can wait and ensure the local fund is prioritised for those on casual contracts, hourly paid situations or in otherwise more difficult financial situations.

A link to apply to the national fund will be circulated on ucu-announce and these FAQs will be updated.
We always request that the employer does not make deductions (they are not legally required to) and, if they decide to do so, to spread these deductions out.
Any salary deductions will be decided by the employer. When these deductions happen, and whether they happen all at once is for the employer to decide.

How can I get involved as a postgraduate researcher (PGR)?

You can take legally part in industrial action (striking or ASOS) for teaching, and other paid work that you do outside of being PGRs (i.e. as graduate teaching assistants, research assistants, or professional services at or above grade 6).

You cannot legally take part in industrial action from your postgraduate research work
There is a UCU PGR Guide to the Strikes with more information and ways to get involved as a PGR.

This guidance includes guidance for those on Tier 4 visas. The bottom line is that Tier 4 visas do not interfere with your right to strike.
There is a PGR WhatsApp group for members where PGRs support each other and you can find answers to questions about your situation. Contact the PGR representative on committee to join

How can I keep up to date with news of teach outs/rallies/other strike news?

Make sure you are signed up to the ucu-announce mailing list – contact
ucu.office@newcastle.ac.uk if you don’t think you are already signed up.
It is usually a good idea to have your personal email linked to this, so you can easily access on strike days without having to go into your work email. This is a main contact method for addressing all members at once, and receiving information on upcoming events and useful information about industrial action.
You can follow the Instagram account @newcastleuniucu for quick updates and you can get involved by tagging the account in your strike-related photos and reels too!

Should I reschedule my teaching? Meetings? Or find cover for any work?

No. Do not reschedule any teaching cancelled due to a strike. Our collective power comes from our collective withdrawal of labour. If we re-arrange teaching, we mitigate our action for our employer and undermine our strength.

You may find you want to change the content of timetabled sessions after a strike, but you should not add any more timetabled sessions after a strike that were not already there in order to replace cancelled teaching.

Our working conditions are students’ learning experience. If we lose our jobs, this will have direct negative impacts on students. Colleagues who remain will experience increased workloads and this will impact students. We are also fighting against the unsustainable funding of HE in the UK and university leaders who have cheer-led the causes of this crisis. Students cannot continue to be expected to prop up universities with decades of personal debt.

Remember: Our students are not our target. When we fight for our jobs, we are also
fighting for our students: Current and future.

Do not pre-emptively reschedule meetings. If you are asked to do this, please contact your departmental rep. After a strike ends, cancelled meetings may need to happen, but line managers have a duty to ensure that any such expectations do not lead to overwork. For example, other meetings may have to be cancelled if the demand is to hold a meeting that was cancelled by the strike.

If you are asked to find cover for activities (e.g. lab work), this should not be done. Even if the request is on purported health and safety grounds. If a lab cannot be opened due to lack of persons present, that is an effect of strike action that should not be mitigated.

Requests to find cover in advance amounts to requests to inform management whether you intend to strike, and they do not have a right to ask this.

I am on a research funded contract. I am concerned that my action will not be visible. Should I strike?

Yes! We are fighting job cuts, and the loss of jobs and work for casualised colleagues, particularly those on fixed term contracts is a key reason for this dispute when it began

Your strike will also be visible to the employers who are key drivers in this dispute.

After a strike ends, members on research contracts should have a discussion with their line manager to determine what activities will not happen. There should be no expectation that research contracted members simply “catch-up” on work not undertaken after a strike.

If some research activities do need to be done upon returning, we advise fixed term research members to have a discussion with their line manager after returning from strike action to agree duties that will never get done to allow for this.

Research contract colleagues have come up with various creative strategies to make their withdrawal of labour visible. Please talk to your colleagues. Also look out for researcher members and anti-casualisation meetings where you can discuss this.

If your research works with local community groups, consider a picket line visit. We have had community visits to pickets in the past and this is a great way of engaging with people.

What is the advice for migrant members?

There is a full and detailed FAQs for migrant members and industrial action on the national website. The main points include:

  • Absent from work for legal strike action does not penalise application for ILR.
  • Legal strike action has an exception to the requirements to cease sponsorship in the event of absence
  • We will be holding meetings for migrant members, please do come along to them with questions.

Can I discuss strike action with students?

Yes. Members are encouraged to talk about the industrial action and the reasons behind it with students. In the UK, awareness of unions, strike action and what it entails is relatively low, and this is a great opportunity to educate our students!

The right to discuss action is a heavily protected right. The protection of our right to discuss with students our industrial action and the reasons we strike is asserted in many ways:

  • Academic freedom: There is no policy on teaching that displaces academic freedom. Newcastle University Statues draws its definition of academic freedom from Sections VI and VII of the Recommendation concerning the Status of Higher-Education Teaching Personnel adopted by the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Paris on 11 November 1997. Section VI. 26 states: “They should not be hindered or impeded in exercising their civil rights as citizens, including the right to contribute to social change through freely expressing their opinion of state policies and of policies affecting higher education.”
  • The right to inform and (digital) pickets: Trade Union and Labour Relations
    (Consolidated) Act (TULRCA) Section 220 protects the right for “peacefully […]
    communicating information”. ACAS guidelines specifically state for the purposes of “explaining why action is being taken”. Canvas sites form part of the digital picket line – when we withdraw our labour, this includes withdrawing our teaching labour. Therefore, it is covered by the laws of picketing for peaceful communication of the reasons why we are striking.
  • Protection from detriment: TULRCA Section 146 protects anyone from any “detriment” for “taking part in the activities of an independent trade union”. Any disciplinary action, however informal, would be such a detriment. Moreover, not allowing staff to communicate with students is a form of unfavourable treatment because it creates unnecessary barriers in the staff-student relationship, if staff cannot be transparent with students and inform them.
  • Protection against blacklisting: Employment Rights Act (Blacklisting) Section 3 prohibits the creation of a list which “contains details of persons who […] are taking part or have taken part in the activities of trade unions […] and is compiled with a view to being used by employers […] for the purposes of discrimination in […] relation to the treatment of workers.” Creating any such list, such as a list of of people who have uploaded slides to Canvas, for the purposes of questioning or even denying their right to communicate, clearly contravenes this.

We encourage heads of units and line managers to refer to this guidance if pressured to take any action that would breach these protected rights for those they manage.

If you are asked not to communicate with students regarding the strikes, or asked to remove materials from Canvas related to the strikes inform your section rep.

If you are asked to meet with your line manager regarding communicating with students, inform your section rep and request that you be accompanied to such a meeting.

Should I declare Saturday strike days?

If UCU call a Saturday strike day, it will usually be to target open days (or similar, such as offer holder days).

In many cases, open day participation can be refused under Action Short of A Strike (ASOS). Where possible, refuse open days (or similar events) under Action Short of a Strike (ASOS), in which case there is no need to declare Saturday as a strike day.

  • If your participation is voluntary or time off in lieu, you can refuse open days & offer holder days on Saturdays under ASOS, and would not need to declare the Saturday as a strike day. Voluntary may mean, for example, requests to volunteer sent via email. But it can also means if open days are understood to fit within a generic workload amount, possibly referred to as something like “citizenship,  which groups of staff have as workload, whether or not they actually attend open days. Discuss what is considered voluntary in section meetings and take a collective decision on whether you are refusing under ASOS. Refusal of open days under ASOS would not require declaring Saturday as a strike day.

If your involvement in an open day (or similar) is not voluntary, you can use a Saturday strike day to take strike action on an open day. Examples of where it might not be considered voluntary is, for those with workloads, there is workload time for open days that is only given to staff who attend open days. In such instances, Saturday would be declared as a Strike day by those individuals.

If you normally work Saturdays: Some of our members may have Saturday working as part of their normal rota (e.g. library staff). In such cases, strike days notified on a Saturday can be taken and declared as such.

Staff not intending to declare Saturdays as a strike day (e.g. they are refusing open days under ASOS, or otherwise have no involvement in open days) are nevertheless welcomed to join picket lines and events on open days.