University of Suffolk based in Ipswich is affected by strike action starting today, November 24
Staff at the University of Suffolk are taking part in three days of strike action over pay, working conditions and pensions in the 'biggest' strike in the history of higher education.
In total, more than 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK began strike action today, November 24, after University and College Union (UCU) members overwhelmingly voted 'yes' to industrial action last month.
UCU said the strike is the biggest in the history of higher education and it could see more than 2.5 million students impacted.
The union is demanding a meaningful pay rise to deal with the cost-of-living crisis as well as action to end the use of insecure contracts and deal with 'dangerously' high workloads. In the pension dispute, UCU is demanding employers revoke the cuts and restore benefits.
The University of Suffolk, based in Ipswich, is among the 150 institutions affected by the strike, but it is currently unclear what the impact will be on students.
Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, the University of East Anglia in Norwich and the University of Cambridge are also affected by the industrial action.
Strike action is not taking place at University Studies at West Suffolk College, based in Bury St Edmunds.
A University of Suffolk spokesperson said last week: "The university is concerned at UCU’s announcement of the upcoming industrial action which could impact some of our students’ studies.
"After such a disruptive period for students over recent years due to the pandemic, any degree of further disruption to their learning and student experience is regrettable.
"We hope staff will consider the impact industrial action has on our students and the university will do all it can to ensure students continue to thrive and progress on their courses.
"The dispute is a national one and we urge the negotiating bodies who represent our sector on pay and pensions and UCU to continue to work together to reach agreement and to avoid any further disruption.
"Many of our staff will not be taking part in the industrial action and the university campus and facilities will remain open. Students should plan to attend any scheduled learning sessions unless they are advised otherwise by the university."
The strike is also set to continue tomorrow, November 25, and on Wednesday, November 30.
UCU said staff would be picketing the entrances of every university each day of the action.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: "University staff are taking the biggest strike action in the history of higher education. They have had enough of falling pay, pension cuts and gig-economy working conditions - all whilst vice-chancellors enjoy lottery-win salaries and live it up in their grace and favour mansions.
"Staff are burnt out, but they are fighting back and they will bring the whole sector to a standstill. Vice-chancellors only have themselves to blame. Their woeful leadership has led to the biggest vote for strike action ever in our sector.
"Students are standing with staff because they know this can't go on. And they know that a sector which generates tens of billions of pounds each year from tuition fees can afford to treat its staff fairly."
The National Union of Students (NUS) has backed the strike action.
