In July the University of Birmingham UNISON branch announced that their members had voted for industrial action. We’ve put together the following information to help explain who UNISON are, what is happening and how it might affect you.
In July the University of Birmingham UNISON branch announced that their members had voted for industrial action. UNISON members have voted to strike over pay, work related stress and workplace safety.
UNISON have announced that they will be taking strike action on the 29th and 30th September.
We’ve put together the following information to help explain who UNISON are, what is happening and how it might affect you.
Industrial Action FAQs
Who are UNISON?
UNISON are a trade union who represent 50,000 staff who work in administration, IT, cleaning, catering, facilities, technical and laboratory services, security, library services, sports centres services, and other professional services roles.
What is a strike?
A strike is when members of a trade union vote to take industrial action on particular issues. Typically strikes are related to pay or working conditions.
UNISON are planning to strike over pay, work related stress and safety at work.
How will the strike action affect me?
The University will experience two days of strike action on the 29th and 30th September.
This means that members of professional staff who are members of UNISON and choose to strike will not work on these days, and that there may be picket lines on campus. How you will be impacted depends on the University services that you interact with and if members of that services are on strike.
What happens on a strike day?
On a strike day, some members of the union will not work and there may be picket line on campus. This is where staff gather at the entrance to campus as a protest. This means that some services may be impacted if staff are on strike.
The University will put appropriate mitigation measures in place so you can still access University services.
Can I study remotely?
Yes, you can study remotely, and the Guild study space is here for you if you choose not to cross the picket line but would like somewhere quiet to work.
What is a picket line?
A picket line is where staff who are on strike gather at the entrance of the University. Picket lines are non-violent and are a means to draw attention to the reasons for the strike. Picket lines are lively and often have lots of music and colour to create an inclusive atmosphere.
We don’t currently have confirmation of where the picket lines may be. In recent strike action picket lines have been held at the following locations:
What does crossing the picket line mean?
'Crossing the picket line' means carrying on with your ordinary activities at a workplace during a period of strike action. Some people consider this to amount to undermining the industrial action and pickets will seek to persuade other staff members not to cross the picket line and not go into work as normal.
During strike action, students may decide not to cross the picket line. This means you act in solidarity with those striking and do not come onto campus for teaching, learning and other activities.
You should be advised that the University has informed the Guild that it would not consider a student's personal decision not to cross the picket line to be an "extenuating circumstance" if your learning or results were impacted. International students on Student Visas will also need to be aware that normal attendance requirements would continue to apply unless your individual teaching sessions were cancelled due to strike action.
What’s considered crossing the picket line?
Coming to the Guild Building and/ or Sports Pitches are not considered crossing the picket line.
You can also access Student Support and Wellbeing remotely, and using these services is not normally considered crossing the picket line.
What is the Guild doing about strike action?
The Guild is currently working to represent students' concerns surrounding strike action. Please get in touch with your Officer Team via fto@guild.bham.ac.uk if you have views or thoughts that you’d like to share.