14 Days of Strike Action

Seventy-four UK universities (including Heriot-Watt University) are taking part in 14 days of strike action in February and March 2020. The disputes centre on the sustainability of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and rising costs for members, and on universities’ failure to make significant improvements on pay, equality, casualisation and workloads.

  • Week one – Thursday 20 & Friday 21 February
  • Week two – Monday 24, Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 February
  • Week three – Monday 2, Tuesday 3, Wednesday 4 & Thursday 5 March
  • Week four – Monday 9, Tuesday 10, Wednesday 11, Thursday 12 & Friday 13 March

Why are Student Unions supporting us?

Student Unions believe firmly in showing solidarity with other unions which fight to make your education better. UCU also represents a large proportion of student members which includes Postgraduate Research students. It is them who, as future academics, stand to benefit significantly from improved working conditions should UCU be successful in this dispute. Student experience will always be better with satisfied staff who are able to teach and support students to their fullest ability. Currently, precarious conditions and a decline in pay exacerbated by gendered and racialised pay gaps do not allow this to happen. You can watch the short video by NUS and UCU here.

What can you do to help?

Let your lecturers know that you support them – it will mean a lot! Keep an eye out for our planned teach-outs at the Student Union and please join in wherever you can.The more that students show their support, the greater the chance that the strike will be successful in forcing universities back to re-enter negotiations and settle the dispute.

The University has published general information relating to the industrial action which can be accesed through Frequently Asked Questions.