Breaking news: DUCU abandons marking and assessment boycott

By William Milne and Isla Mustin

Durham University and College Union (DUCU), which represents over 1,000 academic and related staff, voted in a meeting on Thursday 8th May to reverse their decision to participate in a marking and assessment boycott, Dr. Sara L. Uckelman, co-president of DUCU, has told Palatinate. DUCU had previously informed Durham University of its plans to launch a boycott beginning on the 12th May.

DUCU had previously participated in a week of strike action on the week commencing Monday 28th April 2025. Members of staff took part in picket lines across sites at the University.

This comes in the broader context of industrial action that the DUCU has initiated against Durham University after it did not rule out compulsory redundancies as part of its plan to reduce staff costs by £20 million across the 2024/25 and 2025/26 academic years.

Uckelman emphasised to Palatinate that this does not mean that other industrial action will not or cannot happen at a later date.

The University has responded to this decision on the Durham University website, stating:

“The University has been informed by the Durham University and College Union (UCU) that they will no longer proceed with the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) that was due to start on Monday 12 May 2025. 

“As we have said consistently over the last few months, we are doing all we can to achieve the necessary financial savings by voluntary means. We have been particularly emphatic about this.  However, we must ensure that we can take any necessary action to secure the University’s financial sustainability, and this means that we cannot rule out the possibility of compulsory measures.  We are taking these actions alongside significant savings in non-staff costs. 

“We will continue to work alongside our recognised campus trade unions on this and other matters of importance to our University community.” 

Image: Jasmine Davey