Industrial action latest updates for students

Latest updates for students about the industrial action.

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8 November

There is currently no industrial action at Sheffield.

We continue to work with our local trade union colleagues to help make Sheffield a great place to work and study.

2022/23 Industrial action updates

13 September: Strike action which may affect you

UG/PGT students

Dear all,

From 18-29 September, the University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, is taking strike action (also sometimes referred to as industrial action).

- What to expect during strike action -

During strike action the university will remain open, and you should ensure you arrive at any scheduled events on time.

Unless you are advised otherwise by your Department, Welcome and induction events will take place as planned and teaching will go ahead as usual.

Every effort will be made to avoid disruption, but in some cases, teaching and department events may not take place during these dates, or take place in a different way. Wherever possible your department will let you know in advance.

if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your learning and wellbeing, to help you settle into the academic year. You will find further information, including how to ask us a question, below.

What industrial action is, and how it may affect you: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

- Questions -

For specific advice about how the strike action may impact your course, please contact your academic department first.

Or, contact our dedicated support team online: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

- Further information -

We are continuing to work with our Sheffield trade union branches to make progress wherever possible at our University. You may wish to read more about the steps we have taken: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

I will continue to keep you updated with the latest developments.

Best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

PGR students

Dear all,

From 18-29 September, the University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, is taking strike action (also sometimes referred to as industrial action). The action is taking place at Sheffield, and nearly 150 other universities across the country.

- What to expect during strike action -

- The University will remain open.

- The majority of supervision and other research activities will go ahead as usual.

If you’re a new student:

- Ensure you still arrive at the University on time.

- Continue to complete any registration tasks.

- The majority of Welcome and induction events will take place as planned.

You should assume all activities are going ahead as normal, unless informed otherwise by your supervisor or department.

Some postgraduate research students also have roles as staff, such as Graduate Teaching Assistants. You may be taking strike action and should follow the guidance issued by your Head of Department if this is the case.

While we are working to reduce disruption, if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your research and wellbeing.

What industrial action is, and how it may affect you: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

- Questions -

Contact our dedicated support team online: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

- Further information -

We will continue to keep you updated with the latest developments.

Best wishes,

John Flint

Deputy Vice-President for Research

3 July: Important updates on marking and assessment

Email to 1st and 2nd year students:

From Professor Mary Vincent, Vice President Education

As you will be aware, the University and College Union (UCU) called on its members to begin a marking and assessment boycott on 20 April, as part of their action short of a strike. Colleagues across the University have been working hard to minimise the impacts of this action and to ensure that students will be able to proceed to the next level of study.

We have now completed the large majority of examination boards, where departments confirm your marks, and your results will be released as planned on Friday 7 July 2023.

For the vast majority of students all marking has been completed and your Statement of Examinations Results will include all of your results, an overall level/year result, and guidance on any next steps that you need to take.

For a small number of students, there will be some marks missing. Where examination boards have confirmed that there are sufficient marks to recommend that you be allowed to continue to the next year of study, your Statement of Examinations Results will include the majority of your results and any missing marks will appear as DE, meaning Deferred Result. Your level/year result will show as Continue. This will be updated as soon as missing marks are available, and if you have successfully completed the year, this will change from Continue to Pass. If you have failed any of the modules, once marking is completed you may still need to resit these at the earliest opportunity. Your department will advise you of these arrangements.

Where insufficient marking has been completed for the examination board to be able to recommend that you be allowed to continue to your next year of study, your level/year result will show DE, meaning Deferred Result. Your department will update you at regular intervals and marks will be released to you as soon as they are confirmed.

I appreciate that any delay to your results will be disappointing and I want to assure you that departments are working hard to ensure that all outstanding marking is completed and that you receive any late marks as soon as possible .

If you are not satisfied that sufficient contingencies have been made, you may choose to raise this through the University's complaints procedure and information on how to do this can be found below.

We understand this has been a challenging time for the University community. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or are struggling, our Student Wellbeing Service can offer tailored one-to-one support to help you make sense of what you’re experiencing: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/wellbeing.

If your mental health is significantly affected, please do not hesitate to contact our Mental Health, Counselling and Therapies Service: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/mental-health.

I hope you have an enjoyable summer and we look forward to welcoming you back to campus in the new academic year.

Information on complaints

Before making a formal complaint, you should raise your concerns with your Head of Department, at the earliest opportunity.

If you are not satisfied that sufficient contingencies have been made, you may choose to raise this through the University's complaints procedure. In order to do this, view the complaints procedure and then complete a complaints form via our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study/policies/appeals-complaints-current-students/industrial-action

If you wish to move the complaint procedure forward, first read and follow the guidance on the above page, which sets out how the complaints procedure works. Once you’re ready to proceed, please complete the Complaints Form and send this to the address outlined at the top of the form.

Please include a summary of the facts and any supporting evidence, including the impact of the industrial action on your studies and the loss caused to you. In situations where there has been a significant breach of the contract which deprived you of the educational services you have paid for, without reasonable mitigation, then subject to examination of the facts you may have a claim for reimbursement. Please provide enough detail to enable the University to properly investigate your complaint based on your particular circumstances.

If, at the end of the internal complaints procedure, you remain dissatisfied with the outcome you may be able to ask the OIA to review your case. Information about making a complaint to the OIA, what it can and cannot look at, and what it can do to put things right is available on the OIA website:

OIA Guidance for Students

Should you need independent advice on your position, the Student Advice Centre can also help. You can find them on Level 3 of the Students’ Union building: https://yoursu.sheffield.ac.uk/student-advice-centre

Email to final year students:

From Professor Mary Vincent, Vice President Education

We have now completed examination boards, where departments confirm your marks, and your results will be released as planned on Friday 7 July 2023.

If you are a final year student, please read the following information:

For the vast majority of students all marking has been completed and degrees will be awarded as normal. If you are in this group your results statement will show a registration status of “Successfully Completed” followed by the degree classification you have been awarded.

For a small group of students, sufficient marking has been completed for the relevant examination board to recommend them for the award of a classified degree, but with some marks missing. If you fall into this group, your results statement will again show a registration status of “Successfully Completed” followed by the degree classification you have been awarded (e.g. First, 2:1, etc). You will receive results for the modules you have completed, but where there are marks missing these will appear as Deferred Result (DE). Once these late marks become available we will review your classification, even if this is after graduation. If the inclusion of any missing marks affects your degree classification you will receive the higher of the two.

Regrettably, for approximately 70 students, it has not been possible to complete sufficient marking for them to be able to graduate with classified degrees at this time. The majority of these students are based in one department and if you are personally affected I will contact you directly before 7 July and advise you of your options ahead of graduation.

We are working hard to ensure that all outstanding marking is completed.

If you are continuing to a further year of undergraduate study, the following information applies to you:

I appreciate how disappointing any delay to your results will be and I want to assure you that departments are working hard to ensure that all outstanding marking is completed and that you receive any late marks as soon as possible.

If you are not satisfied that sufficient contingencies have been made, you may choose to raise this through the University's complaints procedure and information on how to do this can be found below.

The last few years have been challenging, but I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed your time here at Sheffield and that you have made long lasting fond memories and friendships. I hope you have an enjoyable summer and wish you all the best for your future.

Information on complaints

Before making a formal complaint, you should raise your concerns with your Head of Department, at the earliest opportunity.

OIA Guidance for Students

12 April: Industrial action update

Email to undergraduate and postgraduate taught students

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that it is continuing Action Short of a Strike to take place from 20 April 2023.

Action short of a strike means some University staff, who are UCU members, take action that falls short of a full withdrawal of labour. This time, it includes a boycott of marking and assessment processes.

- What this means for you -

- The university will remain open as normal, and your scheduled teaching and exams will go ahead.

- Continue to submit assessed work by the set deadlines.

- Continue to attend all exams on the published dates.

- If you have a concern about a particular assessment that you are due to take or submit, speak with your department in the first instance.

For many, the action will not significantly impact your education. This is because not all members of staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to take part in the marking and assessment boycott.

In affected departments, we are taking steps to ensure that assessments, marking and graduation can proceed as planned. Our aim is that all work will be assessed within the normal turnaround period, however some assessments may be delayed. If your feedback and results are delayed, your department will provide you with revised dates.

Boards of examiners will be aware of the impact the strike action has had upon the delivery and assessment of modules you have studied, and this will be taken into account when finalising results.

If you feel that you have been particularly disadvantaged by the impact of the strike action (i.e the impact on you personally has been greater than on others on your course) , then you may also fill in an extenuating circumstances form. Please give the dates for the period you were affected, and an account of how you have been affected: https://students.sheffield.ac.uk/extenuating-circumstances

- Where to go for help -

As ever, I want to let you know the University will continue to do everything we can to support your learning and wellbeing through what I know can be a challenging time.

Speak with your department if you have any concerns about up-coming assessments - they will be able to guide you.

If you have any questions about strike action, check our website. From here, you can also contact our dedicated support team with any specific questions: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

I will continue to keep you up to date with the latest information, and we will do everything possible to support you.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

Email to postgraduate researchers

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that it is continuing Action Short of a Strike to take place from 20 April 2023.

- What this means for you -

- The university will remain open as normal.

- If you have an upcoming PGR oral exam (viva) or Confirmation Review, your department will make arrangements for these to take place in the timescales planned.

- If you have any concerns about your examination or any other aspects of progression, please discuss them with your supervisor in the first instance.

If you're a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), you may be asked to take on additional student marking as a result of the marking and assessment boycott. If you are willing to, please only take on an amount of work that you can manage alongside your research programme. Also ensure you don't do more than the 180 hour limit, as outlined in our Code of Practice; this limit is designed to ensure PGRs are able to prioritise undertaking their research.

Alternatively, you may also be a member of UCU yourself, and therefore be taking action too. If this is the case, please follow any guidance issued by your department.

- Where to go for help -

As ever, I want to let you know the University will continue to do everything we can to support your research and wellbeing through what I know can be a challenging time.

If you have any concerns about your examination or any other aspects of progression, please discuss them with your supervisor in the first instance.

I will continue to keep you up to date with the latest information, and we will do everything possible to support you.

With best wishes,

Sue Hartley

Vice-President for Research and Innovation

6 April: Industrial action update

We have received formal notification from the University and College Union (UCU) that they are extending their current action short of a strike to include a marking and assessment boycott, from 20 April 2023.

3 April: Strike action update

UCU’s re-ballot to continue industrial action on two mandates related to pay and working conditions, and the USS pension scheme, ended on Friday 31 March. They have announced that members voted to continue strike action. We will be in touch with more information soon.

13 March: Strike action updates

Email to taught students

Dear students,

Members of the University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, will resume strike action next week. In addition to the planned dates, they have added Wednesday 15 March so the strike days are now:

This follows a two-week pause in action called to reflect the progress in talks. Trade unions are continuing discussions at a national level with employer representatives. We hope to have news on the outcomes of these in the near future and will post updates on this webpage: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students/industrial-action-latest-updates-students

What to expect during strike action

The University will remain open
The majority of teaching will go ahead as usual
Exams and assessments will continue to take place.

You should assume your teaching and exams are going ahead on these dates, unless you are informed otherwise, and you are expected to attend as normal.

Similarly, please assume your assessment deadlines will remain the same, unless your department informs you of changes.

However, some teaching may not take place during these dates, or take place in a different way. While we will not know in advance exactly which classes will be affected, wherever possible your department will notify you in advance, as they would with any staff absence.

We will do all we can to reduce the risk of disruption, but if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your learning and wellbeing.

Questions and more information

For specific advice about how the strike action may impact your programme, please contact your academic department first.

General guidance about strike action, including further guidance on what to expect on campus, is also available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

For questions which are not covered by the above pages, you may wish to contact our dedicated team for support. You can contact us online: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

While we cannot resolve this national dispute through action here at Sheffield alone, we are continuing to work with our local trade unions and representatives to make progress at our University. You may wish to read about the steps we have taken in collaboration with local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Email to PGR students

Dear all,

What to expect during strike action

The University will remain open
The majority of supervision and other research activities will go ahead as usual.

You should assume all activities are going ahead as normal, unless informed otherwise by your supervisor or department.

We will do all we can to reduce the risk of disruption, but if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your research and wellbeing.

Questions and more information

General guidance about strike action, including further guidance on what to expect on campus, is available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,

Sue Hartley

Vice-President for Research and Innovation

6 March: Strike action update

The trade unions continue to hold mediated discussions with employer representatives and the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas), in regards to pay, equality pay gaps, contract types and workload. We hope to have news on the outcomes of those talks in the near future and will keep you updated.

Strike action from members of the University and College Union (UCU) is planned to resume next week, after a two-week pause. In addition to the planned dates, they have announced that they will be asking members to take action on 15 March. As such, the remaining strike days are:

15, 16 and 17 March 2023 20, 21 and 22 March 2023

20 February: Strike action updates

Email to all taught students

Dear all,

Last week, the University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, announced that strike action will be paused for two weeks.

This means strike days planned at Sheffield and nearly 150 other universities this week (21-23 February) and next week (27 February-2 March) will not go ahead.

This pause has been called to reflect the progress made nationally in talks between the trade unions including UCU, and employer representatives the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

While we can not resolve these disputes through action taken at Sheffield alone, we are continuing to work with our local trade unions and representatives to make progress at our University. You can read more about the issues at the centre of these disputes and the steps we have taken in collaboration with local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

There are further strike days scheduled for 16-17 and 21-22 March, which may still go ahead. We will be in touch about this as soon as we know more.

We continue to do all we can to reduce disruption, but if you have been affected, the University will do everything possible to support your learning and wellbeing. You should continue to attend teaching as normal and please assume your assessment deadlines will remain the same, unless your department informs you of changes.

If you have specific questions about the impact of strike action on your programme, please contact your academic department.

General information about strike action is also available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action. For questions which are not covered by the above pages, you may wish to contact our dedicated team for support. You can contact us online: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

Email to PGR students

Dear all,

Last week, the University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, announced that strike action will be paused for two weeks.

This means strike days planned at Sheffield and nearly 150 other universities this week (21-23 February) and next week (27 February-2 March) will not go ahead.

This pause has been called to reflect the progress made nationally in talks between the trade unions including UCU, and employer representatives the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

While we can not resolve these disputes through action taken at Sheffield alone, we are continuing to work with our local trade unions and representatives to make progress at our University. You can read more about the issues at the centre of these disputes and the steps we have taken in collaboration with local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

There are further strike days scheduled for 16-17 and 21-22 March, which may still go ahead. We will be in touch about this as soon as we know more. You should continue to assume that all research activities are going ahead as normal, unless informed otherwise by your supervisor or department.

If you have any questions about strike action, general information is available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action. For questions which are not covered by the above pages, you may wish to contact our dedicated team for support. You can contact us online: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,
Sue Hartley
Vice-President for Research and Innovation

20 February: Update on strike action

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that it is pausing its strike action for two weeks.

This means strike days this week (21-23 February) and next week (27 February-2 March) will not go ahead.

This hiatus has been called to reflect the progress in talks between the trade unions including UCU, and employer representatives the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), in discussions facilitated by Acas, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

There are further strike days scheduled for 16-17 and 21-22 March, which may still go ahead.

26 January: Strike action which may affect you

Email to all taught students

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing some University staff, is asking members to take strike action at our university, and at around 150 other universities across the country.

The strike action relates to ongoing disputes in the higher education sector on national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

Dates of the strike action

Staff will be striking on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

UCU have announced further dates in February and March. To read more about the dates announced, visit our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

There are national negotiations currently taking place to try to reach a resolution to the disputes and I am hopeful that, as a result of those negotiations, this action may not all go ahead as planned. We will be in touch about this as soon as we know more, but in the meantime we are planning in case action does go ahead.

What to expect during strike action

- The University will remain open

- The majority of teaching will go ahead as usual

- Exams and assessments will continue to take place.

For many, the strike action will not significantly impact your education. This is because not all members of staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to strike.

You should assume your teaching and exams are going ahead, and you are expected to attend as normal where teaching is not affected by strike action.

Likewise, please assume your assessment deadlines will remain the same, unless your department informs you of changes.

We will do all we can to reduce the risk of disruption, but if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your learning and wellbeing.

Questions and more information

For specific advice about how the strike action may impact your programme, please contact your academic department first.

General guidance about strike action, including further guidance on what to expect on campus, is also available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Email to postgraduate research students

Dear all,

As you’ll be aware, the strike action relates to ongoing disputes in the higher education sector on national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

Dates of the strike action

Staff will be striking on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

UCU have announced further dates in February and March. To read more about the dates announced, visit our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

What to expect during strike action

- The University will remain open

- The majority of supervision and other research activities will go ahead as usual.

You should assume all activities are going ahead as normal, unless informed otherwise by your supervisor or department. However, strike action means that some activities, including supervision, may not take place during these dates.

We will do all we can to reduce the risk of disruption, but if you are affected, the University will do everything possible to support your research and wellbeing.

Questions and more information

General guidance about strike action, including further guidance on what to expect on campus, is available on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information as it develops.

With best wishes,

Sue Hartley

Vice-President for Research

24 January 2023

The University and College Union (UCU) is asking members to take strike action on the following dates:

- Wednesday 1 February Thursday 9 February and Friday 10 February
- Tuesday 14 February, Wednesday 15 February and Thursday 16 February
- Tuesday 21 February, Wednesday 22 February and Thursday 23 February
- Monday 27 February, Tuesday 28 February, Wednesday 1 March and Thursday 2 March
- Thursday 16 March and Friday 17 March
- Monday 20 March, Tuesday 21 March and Wednesday 22 March

We will be in touch with further information and guidance.

17 January 2023

The University and College Union (UCU) is asking members to take strike action on Wednesday 1 February 2023.

There are likely to be more strike days announced in the coming weeks, and we will be in touch with further information and guidance.

13 January 2023

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced 18 days of strike action across February and March. UCU will share exact dates in the coming days.

The marking and assessment boycott previously called from 23 January will now begin in April, subject to a renewed mandate. UCU will be reballoting to renew the mandate.

We will continue to keep you updated.

9 January 2023

The University and College Union (UCU) have given us formal notice of their intention to ask members to undertake a marking and assessment boycott from 23 January 2023.

We understand that a number of other institutions have received the same notification - it would be continuous action until the current industrial action mandate expires on 20 April 2023 or the disputes are resolved, whichever occurs sooner. The marking and assessment boycott is an extension of the current Action Short of a Strike.

UCU has its Higher Education Committee on 12 January, where they may decide on further action.

We will keep you updated.

12 December 2022

UCEA and the national trade unions have agreed to bring the 2023–24 pay round forward along with a de-escalation of the pay dispute at national level during the negotiating period. We support these efforts to find a resolution to the national pay dispute. Meetings are due to take place during December and January 2022.

22 November 2022: Industrial action update

Email to undergraduate and postgraduate-taught students

Dear all,

Earlier this month, I wrote to inform you that the University and College Union (UCU) has announced that they intend to take strike action on the following dates:

Thursday 24 November Friday 25 November Wednesday 30 November

Ahead of the strike action, I’ve included some further information below to help you, should you be affected:

What to expect on campus

The University will remain open throughout the strike dates, and most supervision and training will go ahead as usual. Please assume that all activities will take place unless your supervisor or department notify you otherwise.

Outside university buildings, you may find picket lines - in other words, a group of people drawing public attention to their cause. Staff on picket lines may want to talk to you about the strike, and should not prevent access to your research or training location. Picket lines are a normal and legal activity during industrial action in the UK, and should not feel intimidating.

What is action short of a strike?

This means some University staff may work to their contracted hours and not undertake voluntary activities, amongst other action. This is unlikely to have an impact on activities which affect your research.

What action the University is taking

We’re continuing to urge both our representatives and trade unions to come together at a national level to resolve disputes and avoid further industrial action.

You can also read about the positive progress we have been making here at Sheffield in collaboration with our local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

The Vice-Chancellor and members of the University Executive Board have met with your Students’ Union Officers, your elected representatives, to discuss the industrial action and how we can best support you. The Vice-Chancellor and University leadership will continue to meet regularly with your Students’ Union Officers in the coming weeks.

Questions about Industrial action

If you have any questions about how the strike action will impact you, please contact your academic department first. We also have a dedicated student enquiries team to support you with any questions related to strike action. Contact them with questions about the strike at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

For general guidance about strike action, you can find the important information on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As always, I will update you with the latest information and do everything possible to ensure you are supported.

Ahead of the strike action, I’ve included some further information below to help you, should you be affected:

What to expect on campus

The University will remain open throughout the strike dates, and most teaching will go ahead as usual.

Outside university buildings, you may find picket lines - in other words, a group of people drawing public attention to their cause. Staff on picket lines may want to talk to you about the strike, and should not prevent access to your class or other activities. Picket lines are a normal and legal activity during industrial action in the UK, and should not feel intimidating.

If a class is cancelled

Strike action means that some classes may not take place during the above dates. I understand that some students will be more affected than others - and that this may cause additional stress on top of your studies. We’re doing everything possible to reduce the disruption to your learning, and support your wellbeing.

Wherever possible, your department will email you in advance where a class is affected - just as they do when a staff member is absent. While we will do everything we can to keep you informed, we will not know in advance of the strike days which classes are affected, so this may not always be possible.

If your teaching is cancelled as a result of strike action, you will not be recorded as having an unauthorised absence. This means, if you’re an international student with a Tier 4 visa or Student visa, it will not be affected.

What is action short of a strike?

What action the University is taking

We’re continuing to urge both our representatives and trade unions to come together at a national level to resolve disputes and avoid further industrial action.

You can also read about the positive progress we have been making here at Sheffield in collaboration with our local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

Questions about Industrial action

For general guidance about strike action, you can find the important information on our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students

Or alternatively, you can view the web page in mandarin: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students/mandarin

As always, I will update you with the latest information and do everything possible to ensure you are supported.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

Email to postgraduate research students

Dear all,

Earlier this month, we wrote to inform you that the University and College Union (UCU) has announced that they intend to take strike action on the following dates:

Thursday 24 November Friday 25 November Wednesday 30 November

Ahead of the strike action, I’ve included some further information below to help you, should you be affected:

What to expect on campus

What is action short of a strike?

What action the University is taking

We’re continuing to urge both our representatives and trade unions to come together at a national level to resolve disputes and avoid further industrial action.

You can also read about the positive progress we have been making here at Sheffield in collaboration with our local trade union branches: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

Questions about Industrial action

For general guidance about strike action, you can find the important information on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As always, I will update you with the latest information and do everything possible to ensure you are supported.

With best wishes,

Professor John Flint

Deputy Vice-President for Research

9 November 2022: Strike action that may affect you

Email to undergraduate and postgraduate-taught students

Dear all,

As you may be aware, there are ongoing disputes throughout the higher education sector on a number of national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing University staff, has gained mandates for national strike action here at Sheffield and at universities across the UK.

UCU has announced that they intend to take strike action on the following dates:

- Thursday 24 November
- Friday 25 November
- Wednesday 30 November

For many of you, the strike action will have little impact on your education. Around 20 per cent of University staff are members of UCU and two-thirds of the membership are academic staff. Not all members will choose to strike. The University will remain open during this time, and the majority of teaching will go ahead as usual.

However, strike action means that some teaching may not take place during these dates or that it may take place in a different way.

While we will not know in advance exactly which classes will be affected, wherever possible your department will notify you in advance, as they would with any staff absence. Please assume that your classes will take place unless we notify you otherwise.

UCU is also asking its members to take continuous action short of a strike, from Wednesday 23 November. This means that members will be asked to work to their contracted hours and duties and not to undertake voluntary activities. This is unlikely to have an impact on activities which affect your education, such as teaching and marking.

I’d like to reassure you that we will do everything possible to reduce the risk of disruption. However, if you are affected, we will do all we can to support your learning and wellbeing.

Understandably you may have specific concerns about how you will be affected. If you have any questions about how the strike action will impact you, please contact your academic department in the first instance.

For general guidance about strike action, you can find the important information on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

For any questions not covered by the above pages, we have a dedicated team in place to support you with any questions related to strike action. You can contact us with questions about the strike at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

We continue to work with our local trade unions and representatives and encourage both parties to come together at a national level to explore ways to resolve these disputes and avoid industrial action. You can read about the positive progress we have been making here at Sheffield in collaboration with our local trade union branches at: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

I will make sure you are kept updated with the latest information on any industrial action.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

Email to postgraduate research students

Dear all,

As you may be aware, there are ongoing disputes throughout the higher education sector on a number of national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing University staff, has gained mandates for national strike action, here at Sheffield and at universities across the UK.

UCU has announced that they intend to take strike action on the following dates:

Thursday 24 November
Friday 25 November
Wednesday 30 November

The University will remain open during this time, and the majority of supervision and other research activities will go ahead as usual.

However, strike action means that some activities, including supervision, may not take place during these three days. Please assume that all activities will take place unless notified otherwise by your supervisor or department.

UCU is also asking its members to take continuous action short of a strike, from Wednesday 23 November. This means that members will be asked to work to their contracted hours and duties and not to undertake voluntary activities. This is highly unlikely to have an impact on activities which affect your research and training.

I would like to reassure you that we are doing all we can to reduce the risk of disruption to you and support your research and wellbeing.

Understandably you may have specific concerns about how you will be affected. For further guidance, we have collected important information about Industrial Action on our website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

For any questions not covered by the above pages, we have a dedicated team in place to support you with any questions related to strike action. Contact us with a strike question: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/students#questions

I will make sure you are kept updated with the latest information on any industrial action.

With best wishes,

31 August 2022: Outcome of UNISON ballot

UNISON, one of our recognised campus trade unions, recently balloted its members on the 2022-23 national pay negotiations. Fewer than 50 per cent of UNISON members voted in the ballot on industrial action, which means they did not meet the minimum turnout requirement for a valid ballot. As such, UNISON will not be calling on its members to participate in industrial action.

23 August 2022: Ballot updates

UCU is balloting members on two issues: changes to the USS pension scheme; and pay and working conditions. The aggregated ballots close on 21 October.

UNISON, another recognised campus trade union, is balloting members on the national pay negotiations 2022-23. This disaggregated vote closes on 26 August.

2021/22 Industrial action updates

1 June: Update on industrial action

Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts wrote to staff to update them on local negotiations with UCU.

Dear colleague,

Following constructive negotiations with our local branch of UCU, I am pleased to announce that their members have voted to accept our proposal and end action short of a strike here at Sheffield. It has been a challenging time for all of our staff and students and I know that this will be welcome news for many.

I want to reassure you that, whilst this means the end of the action, I remain committed to resolving the issues and challenges that I know so many of you are facing. I will provide an update in the coming weeks with further details on the steps we intend to take.

You can read the full commitment we have agreed with our local branch at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-pZ2LiHI_a1dTHhBZllqwsKup5ysXKzvc2tGN93vDj0/edit

This includes an agreement to invest at least an extra £5 million per year in staff pay as part of our local grade boundary work, and to address issues around workload, casualisation, and equality. We look forward to continuing to work with our trade union colleagues and I want to thank them for their positive engagement.

I hope you have a restful and enjoyable bank holiday weekend.

With best wishes,

Koen Lamberts
Vice-Chancellor

27 May: Update on local negotiations with the Sheffield branch of UCU

Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts wrote to staff to update them on local negotiations with UCU.

Dear colleague,

Further to my update earlier this week, my UEB colleagues and I have had a second productive meeting with the Sheffield branch of UCU.

We presented a proposal to UCU colleagues that outlines our commitment to addressing the issues at the heart of the disputes. This includes an agreement to invest at least an extra £5 million per year in staff pay, as part of our local grade boundary work.

You can read the University's full commitment here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-pZ2LiHI_a1dTHhBZllqwsKup5ysXKzvc2tGN93vDj0/edit

In summary, we agreed that we will:

*Continue to progress the work to negotiate changes to our local grade boundaries, with all our trade unions, committing to fund at least an extra £5 million per year in staff pay.

*Build on the joint work we have been doing to address issues around pay, workload, casualisation and equality, and act as an exemplar for the sector in our employment practices.

*Establish joint task and finish working groups, with the aim of making improvements in a number of areas, including identifying and removing barriers to promotion in relation to gender, race, and disability, and exploring issues and concerns around professional services workloads.

*Continue to use our leverage at UUK and UCEA in relation to the annual pay negotiations and future discussions relating to USS.

Our UCU colleagues will now ask their members to vote on this set of proposals. If you are a UCU member you should already have received an email from the local branch setting out the arrangements for the vote. We hope to hear the outcome next week.

Please be assured that, if branch members vote to accept the proposal and call off the action, and providing all marking and assessment is carried out, we will not deduct any pay from colleagues who have taken part in the boycott.

I hope that I will be able to write to you again next week to confirm the end of the action here at Sheffield.

With best wishes,

Koen Lamberts
Vice-Chancellor

25 May 2022: Update on negotiations with our local trade unions

Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts wrote to staff to update them on local negotiations with UCU.

Dear colleague,

I promised to keep you updated on local negotiations with our trade unions in relation to the current marking and assessment boycott. This morning, UEB colleagues and I met with representatives of the Sheffield branch of UCU to discuss how we could bring an end to the ongoing disputes.

I am pleased to report that the meeting was constructive and that we have explored all of the requests put to us by the branch. We have committed to meet again on Friday this week to progress these discussions.

In the meantime, we have agreed to develop an outline proposal to present back to UCU colleagues at the next meeting. Similarly, UCU has agreed to share more detailed ideas ahead of the next meeting.

Unfortunately, UCU has declined to call a temporary pause to the marking and assessment boycott whilst we engage in these negotiations. Therefore, our position on partial performance remains unchanged.

It is my sincere hope that these discussions will lead to the end of industrial action here at Sheffield. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my trade union colleagues for their commitment to working collectively as we seek to bring an end to what has been a challenging few months and years.

I will continue to keep you updated.

With best wishes,
Koen Lamberts
Vice-Chancellor

18 May 2022: Industrial action update

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced Action Short of a Strike to take place from 23 May 2022.

Action short of a strike means some University staff, who are UCU members, take action that falls short of a full withdrawal of labour. In this instance, this includes a boycott of marking and assessment processes.

The majority of our students will not be affected by this action. This is because not all University staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to take part in the marking and assessment boycott. In affected departments, we are also taking steps to ensure that assessments, marking and graduation can proceed as planned.

I understand this follows previous strike action already at our University - and that some of you may be more affected than others. I realise this may be a particularly challenging time for you. As ever, I want to let you know the University will continue to do everything we can to support your learning and wellbeing.

If you have a concern about a particular assessment that you are due to take or submit, you should speak with your department in the first instance. In the meantime it is important that you continue to submit assessed work by the deadlines and to attend all examinations on the published dates.

Boards of examiners will be aware of the impact the strike action has had upon the delivery and assessment of modules you have studied, and this will be taken into account when finalising results.

Our aim is that all work will be assessed within the normal turnaround period. However, some assessments may be delayed. If your feedback and results are delayed, your department will provide you with revised dates.

Meanwhile, we are continuing to work towards resolving the issues at the centre of the action. On Monday, the Vice-Chancellor wrote to staff outlining a series of commitments - you can read more about this here.

We are continuing to share our views with our national representatives to urge all parties to reach a negotiated solution. However, as these are national issues, we cannot resolve the dispute through actions undertaken here at Sheffield alone. If you’d like to read about the steps we’re taking to address members’ concerns, we have published updates on our website.

If you have any question about industrial action, check our website - which includes guidance to access wellbeing support. From Monday, our dedicated support team will also be available to answer a specific question: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As always, we will continue to update you with the latest information and do everything possible to ensure you are supported.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent
Vice-President for Education

16 May 2022: The University's commitments to resolve the issues at the centre of industrial action

The Vice-Chancellor wrote to all staff on 16 May, outlining the University's commitments to resolve the issues at the centre of industrial action.

Dear colleague,

As you know, we face further industrial action here at Sheffield and at other universities across the country. As part of new mandates obtained in its disputes on pay, working conditions and pensions, the Sheffield branch of UCU has announced that it will be asking its members to take action short of a strike (ASOS) from 23 May. This action will include a marking and assessment boycott.

I wish we weren’t in this position and understand the impact industrial action has had, and continues to have, on our university community. I assure you that we continue to work to bring an end to the disputes. We have sought to influence and shape the national discussion on pay and pensions, and we are taking local steps to address issues around workload, casualisation and equality.

However, having heard the issues and concerns you raised in my meetings with departments over the past few months, I acknowledge that we need to do more. My UEB colleagues and I have considered other steps we can take to resolve the issues at the centre of the ongoing action and we set out our commitment to you below.

On USS, we will:

Call for future valuations to be based on moderately prudent assumptions. Call for better pension benefits for members if future valuations show an improved funding position for the scheme. Continue to provide enhanced covenant support for any proposals formally presented and agreed through negotiations at the USS Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC). Support the work that is being undertaken by UUK, UCU, and USS to explore more affordable membership options, to enable more eligible staff to join USS. Support the joint work on governance reform in USS and on possible future benefit structures for the scheme (including conditional indexation). Reconvene our USS Valuation Working Group, in partnership with our trade union colleagues, to help navigate the complex issues that might arise from the next USS valuation.

On the ‘four fights’ dispute, we will:

Continue to negotiate changes to our local grade boundaries with our trade union colleagues. Although we are bound to use the nationally agreed pay spine, local changes to grade boundaries will allow some staff to move further up the spine. We hope to conclude this work by August 2022. Build on the good practice and constructive local negotiations with the trade unions that have led to: the introduction of the Graduate Teaching Assistant employment contract; a commitment that no regular scheduled teaching will be undertaken by anyone on a casual contract; and the introduction of a £10 per hour minimum pay rate Seek urgent improvements in workloads, according to the principles agreed in our joint Academic Workload Planning Group. Improve career pathways for Professional Services colleagues. Implement our Gender Pay Gap Action Plan, seeking to reduce the gender pay gap by a further five percentage points by 2025, and prioritise work to reduce ethnicity and disability pay gaps. Continue our work under the One University pillar, which has diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, and fostering a supportive and collaborative culture at its heart.

This work is very important to me, and I am determined to do everything I can to make our University the best possible place to work for all our colleagues. We will keep you informed about progress.

With best wishes,

Koen

9 May 2022

One of our recognised unions on campus, UCU, has announced that they are asking members at Sheffield to take Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) from 23 May 2022.

We have not received any formal notification of further strike days. We are working through the details of this latest notice and will provide further guidance for staff in the coming week.

We recognise that this action will be worrying to you - please be assured that the University will work hard to mitigate the impact of this action.

We will be updating the Student Information webpages regularly, and sharing updates via email.

27 April 2022

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that they will ask members to take Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) further to their ballots on pensions, pay and working conditions. Their mandates allow them to take ASOS, including a marking and assessment boycott, and 10 additional days of strikes.

A marking and assessment boycott means that some UCU members will not mark or assess students' work. We will provide more information when it's available, but be assured that we will work to mitigate the impact of this action on students.

Dates of this action will be confirmed in mid-May.

12 April 2022

The University and College Union (UCU) re-balloted institutions across the country on two issues; pay and working conditions, and pensions. The Sheffield branch has succeeded in getting a mandate for strike action and action short of a strike on both of these issues.

This mandate will last until 8 October 2022.

We will find out what action they plan to take later this month and will keep you updated.

24 March 2022: Industrial action update

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced further dates for industrial action to take place at universities across the country. The planned action takes place from Monday 28 March - Friday 1 April 2022.

The action relates to the ongoing disputes in higher education on a number of national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

As before, for many of you, the strike action will not significantly affect your education - as not all University staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to strike. The University will remain open throughout the strike dates, and most teaching will go ahead as usual.

I’m keenly aware that this follows previous strike action at our University, and that some students will be more affected than others. I understand that this may cause stress on top of the pressures of your studies - and I’d like to take this opportunity to reassure you that the University is making every effort to reduce the disruption to your learning, and support your wellbeing.

This week, the Vice-Chancellor met with your Students’ Union Officers, your elected representatives, to discuss the industrial action and how we can best support you. The Vice-Chancellor will continue to meet regularly with your Students’ Union Officers in the coming weeks.

Below I have included some useful information, which you may find helpful ahead of the planned strike dates - should you be affected.

If a class is cancelled

Strike action means that some classes may not take place during the above dates. Wherever possible, your department will email you in advance if a class is affected - just like any staff absence. While we will make every effort to inform you, we will not know in advance which classes are affected, so this may not always be possible.

If your teaching is cancelled as a result of strike action, you will not be recorded as an unauthorised absence. This means, if you’re an international student with a Tier 4 visa or Student visa, it will not be affected.

What is action short of a strike?

The strike action will be followed by action short of a strike, potentially until early May. This means some University staff may work to their contracted hours and not undertake voluntary activities, amongst other action. Beyond the strike dates announced above, no other teaching should be affected.

What action the University is taking

We are continuing to share our views with our national representatives to urge all parties to reach a negotiated solution. However, as these are national issues, we cannot resolve the dispute through actions undertaken here at Sheffield alone. If you’d like to read about the steps we’re taking to address staff concerns, we have published updates on our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

Questions about Industrial action

If you have a question about industrial action, check our website - which includes guidance to access wellbeing support. From Monday, our dedicated support team will also be available to answer a specific question: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As always, we will continue to update you with the latest information and do everything possible to ensure you are supported.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

21 March 2022: Industrial action update

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing University staff, has announced further dates for industrial action to take place at universities across the country.

Five days of strike action at Sheffield run from Monday 28 March to Friday 1 April 2022

9 February 2022: Industrial action that may affect you

Dear all,

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing University staff, has announced further dates for industrial action to take place at universities across the country.

The 10 dates for strike action take place during the next three weeks:

First week: Monday 14 - Friday 18 February

Second week: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 February

Third week: Monday 28 - Wednesday 2 March

The strike action is a result of ongoing disputes throughout the higher education sector on a number of national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

For the majority of students at our University, the strike action will not significantly affect your education. This is because not all University staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to strike. The University will remain open throughout the strike dates, and most teaching will go ahead as usual.

However, strike action means that some classes may not take place during the above dates. Wherever possible, your department will email you in advance if a class is affected - just like any staff absence. But we will not know in advance which classes are affected, so this may not always be possible.

I understand that some students will be more affected than others. We will do all we can to reduce the disruption to you, and support your learning and wellbeing.

If you are currently studying remotely overseas until your arrival, it is still important that you make every effort to travel to Sheffield. Please continue to follow the guidance which the University is sharing with you directly, which includes support if you need it: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/coronavirus/teaching#exceptions

The strike action will be followed by action short of a strike, potentially until early May. This means some University staff may work to their contracted hours and duties and not to undertake voluntary activities. Beyond the strike dates announced above, no other teaching should be affected.

While these are national issues which we cannot resolve through actions undertaken here at Sheffield alone, we are continuing to feed our views to our national representatives and to urge all parties to reach a negotiated solution. Meanwhile, we are continuing to take steps to address staff concerns here at Sheffield: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action/national-issues

If you have a question about industrial action which is not covered above, our web pages include further information, including wellbeing support. From Monday, you can also reach our dedicated support team to ask a specific question: www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action

As ever, I will continue to update you with the latest information, as we work closely to address the concerns of our trade unions and colleagues.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education

22 November 2021: Outcome of local UCU ballot

The local branch of UCU has also obtained a mandate for industrial action in respect of their dispute with the University over changes to the Department of Archaeology and the School of Languages and Cultures. At this time we haven't had confirmation of what, if any, action they will call on UCU members at Sheffield to take, or when, in relation to this local dispute. We will continue to keep you updated.

18 November 2021: Industrial action that may affect you

Dear all,

As you may be aware, there are ongoing disputes throughout the higher education sector on a number of national issues, including pay, pensions, and working conditions.

The University and College Union (UCU), a trade union representing University staff, have gained a mandate for strike action at Sheffield and 57 other UK universities.

UCU have announced that they intend to take strike action from Wednesday 1st - Friday 3rd December inclusive.

For many of you, the strike action will have little impact on your education. Around 20% of University staff are members of UCU, and not all members will choose to strike. The University will remain open during this time, and the majority of teaching will go ahead as usual.

However strike action means that some classes may not take place during these dates.

While we will not know in advance exactly which classes will be affected, wherever possible your department should email in advance as they would with any staff absence. Please assume that your classes will take place unless notified otherwise.

I’d like to reassure you that we will do everything possible to reduce the risk of disruption. However, if you are affected, we will do all we can to support your learning and wellbeing.

The strike action will be followed by continuous action short of a strike, with members asked to work to their contracted hours and duties and not to undertake voluntary activities. Action short of a strike will start on 1 December and end no later than 3 May 2022. This is unlikely to have an impact on activities which affect your education, such as teaching and marking.

We are preparing a dedicated support team to support you with any questions related to strike action, and I will contact you again when this service is available.

We are also working with the Students’ Union Officers to ensure the Students’ Union building remains a calm and welcoming place to gather and study throughout the strike action.

For further guidance, we have collected important information about Industrial Action on these web pages.

I will make sure you are kept updated with the latest information on any industrial action, as we continue to work with our trade unions and colleagues to address their concerns.

With best wishes,

Mary Vincent

Vice-President for Education