Today’s Education in the Media blog looks at the proposed Universities and College Union strikes.
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGE UNION STRIKES
Tomorrow, Thursday 22 February, members of the Universities and College Union (UCU) are due to strike in a dispute regarding the pension scheme for university staff. The proposed industrial action is due to last for 14 days.
This story has been covered by the Times, the Telegraph, the Financial Times and Guardian.
Universities are responsible for their own pension provision, which is overseen by the independent Pensions Regulator.
Universities Minister Sam Gyimah has engaged with all of the parties involved and he has been clear that a solution that avoids minimal disruption to students is key.
A Department for Education spokesperson said:
Universities must consider the impact of any industrial action on their students, who deserve to receive the service that they are paying for.
Talks are ongoing and the Universities Minister, Sam Gyimah, is engaging with both Universities UK (UUK) and the University and College Union (UCU) to make clear to all Parties the need to find a solution that avoids disruption to students.
Where any strike action takes place, we expect universities to provide alternative arrangements that maintain the quality of education that students should receive, or fulfil obligations they might have to students as consumers, which may include offering compensation.
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