Industrial action: guidance for staff

Will there be industrial action at Imperial? 

Imperial’s local Universities and College Union (UCU) branch has voted in favour of industrial action. Strike action is scheduled to occur for 3 days, between Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 December (inclusive). UCU has also asked its members to take continuous Action Short of Strike (ASOS) from 1 December until no later than 3 May 2022. 

What actions are included in ASOS?

Initially the ASOS consisted of members only working their contracted hours and duties and not volunteering to do more. There are now three further ASOS actions: 

 

These additional actions are effective from Wednesday 5 January 2022. Please see the 'Further details for staff' tab for more information on what is covered by ASOS in terms of uploaded materials. 

 

 

What was the outcome of UCU’s ballot? 

Of our approximately 8,500 staff members, there were 748 members of UCU who were entitled to vote. On a turnout of 55.9% (418 staff members), 71.7% (297) voted for strike action, with 28.3% (117) against. 86.3% (360) voted for action short of a strike (ASOS), with 13.7% (57) against.  

UCU have introduced a new action under Action Short of Strike (ASOS): “Removing uploaded materials related to, and/or not sharing materials related to, lectures or classes that will be or have been cancelled as a result of strike action”. 

In line with Imperial’s strike principles – “Imperial will respect and not seek to undermine people’s rights to take industrial action and to withdraw their labour”, we will not challenge members of staff who remove uploaded materials. However, the action specifically links to actual strike days, and therefore, full scale removal of material which is not related to an actual strike day is not in line with the ASOS.   

Our commitment to the delivery of education to our students includes them having access to recorded material for the duration of their course/studies. Any material which is removed should not be destroyed (as this would be outside of the ASOS), and it is expected that after the strike day the material is re-uploaded to ensure that students once again have access.  

Learning materials developed with other colleagues may be temporarily removed if all parties are participating in the strike action; however, such material should not be taken down if one or more contributors are not participating.

This ASOS also should not extend to asking another member of staff to undertake this action on their behalf and, if asked to do so, individuals may wish to discuss this with their Head of Department.

What is strike action? 

Staff who choose to take strike action will not undertake any work on impacted days. 

Will Imperial be closed? 

No, Imperial will be open as usual. 

Will I have to cross a picket line? 

It is likely that there will be a polite picketing presence at some entrances to campuses on the strike days. While pickets may ask you not to cross a picket line, they cannot stop you from entering the campuses or require you to engage in discussion with them. Those who wish to cross a picket line are allowed to do so.  Pickets should consist of a maximum of six people on any picket line. Picketing at Imperial has always been conducted in a respectful way without any intimidation of staff, students or visitors and we're confident that this will continue. 

Do I need to inform Imperial if I choose to take industrial action? 

What will happen to my salary if I take strike action? 

Imperial will withhold a full day’s pay for each day that you take strike action, and this will be calculated at the rate of 1/365.  

Some of the ASOS action considered by UCU would be ‘partial performance’ of your contractual duties. At this time, Imperial will not be deducting pay for those taking ASOS. However, Imperial reserves its right to commence pay deductions after monitoring the impact of this industrial action. Notice will be given of a change to the Imperial’s position and will not be applied retrospectively.   

Imperial will hold the salaries saved in a central fund. Departments will then be able to make requests for funds, commensurate with the salaries they have saved, in order to benefit student education. 

What will happen to the money saved for research-funded staff?

The funds will be retained in the grant and can be drawn down in line with the usual restrictions for use of the funds. 

What will happen to my pension if I take strike action? 

Industrial action automatically suspends a member of staff’s employment contract, impacting upon the build-up of their pension benefits. Lower pensionable pay means a lower level of pension builds up.  Death in service and ill heath retirement benefits are still covered during the strike days detailed above (up to 31 days). USS trustees have reserved the right to review this position if the industrial action is extended beyond these days. Should you wish to maintain contributions on days when you are not paid Imperial will also maintain the employer contribution on your behalf.  Its important to advise us if you wish to do this when you notify industrialaction@imperial.ac.uk of days you are taking action. 

How will industrial action impact lone working?

It is all of our responsibility to ensure that we work safely at all times. This remains so on days when colleagues are absent. If at any point you believe that your ability to work safely has been compromised by someone’s absence you should stop immediately and seek advice. See the safety webpages for more information.