Breaking news: Durham UCU plans three more days of strike action

By Isla Mustin, William Milne and Katie Trahair-Davies

Durham UCU (DUCU), the union representing academic and professional services staff at Durham University, have informed the University of three further days of strike action on Friday 13th June, Saturday 14th June and Thursday 19th June.

Although this comes after the end of the main examination period, staff continue working. This includes Board of Examiners meetings. Some of these are due to take place on 19th June. At these meetings, decisions are made about academic progression between years of study, final degree classifications, making decisions about resits, and more. These meetings may be affected by the strikes.

In response, Durham University issued a statement, describing the action as “unnecessary” and emphasising that it has “tried strenuously to ensure financial savings can be made through voluntary means.” 

The university further commented that “examinations and assessments will be held as scheduled. We will ensure students are appropriately supported and will minimise any impact.”

Earlier in Easter term, DUCU took part in strike action for five days, from Monday 28th April until Friday 2nd May. This was in response to Durham University’s refusal to rule compulsory redundancies in order to make financial savings.

Durham University later announced that they were “confident” they had made enough financial savings to rule out compulsory redundancies.