University of Winchester staff begin strike action tomorrow in fight against pay deductions

The University of Winchester has announced that they will make wage deductions of 100% for staff taking part in the boycott, despite staff continuing to teach, lecture and support students as normal.

Strike action will last for at least 6 days in the first instance throughout May and June. Last month, UCU successfully renewed its industrial action mandate, allowing strikes to be called for a further six months.

The current marking and assessment boycott covers all marking and assessment, including that in writing, online, or verbally. The boycott will also cover any assessment-related work such as exam invigilation and the administrative processing of marks.

UCU regional official Moray McAulay said: 'The University of Winchester can afford to pay staff much more to support them through the cost-of-living crisis. Staff don't want to be in this position, but for over a decade pay has been held down and conditions attacked.  Vice chancellors only have themselves to blame, but rather than looking to resolve the disputes Winchester is threatening to take 100% of wages from staff who are still performing the majority of their duties.'