Members of the University and College Union (UCU) have voted in favour of industrial action on 14 days during February and March, with branches at 74 universities reaching the 50% support threshold. The action is based around two disputes: changes to the USS pension scheme, and a dispute over pay, equality, casualisation and workloads. In addition, UCU has asked its members to undertake ‘action short of a strike’.
Many geographers in higher education institutions in the UK, including members of the Society, are affected by this dispute. However, as a registered UK charity that is not itself party to the dispute and in accordance with our policy on advocacy and lobbying, the Society does not take a declared position with respect to this industrial action.
At the same time the Society recognises and respects the legal and moral right to undertake strike action, and accepts that aspects of our own work – generously contributed to by many members of the academic community – may be delayed or interrupted during this time.
Questions from Society Fellows and members can be sent to director@rgs.org