Confirmed: These are the dates Newcastle lecturers will be striking this term

The dates for this semester’s UCU strikes have just been confirmed for February and March, which involves both Newcastle University and Northumbria University. 

The strikes are part of a campaign by the UCU for better working pay and pensions, last week it was announced it would start on Wednesday 1st February.

The full dates Newcastle lecturers and staff will be striking are as follows:

Week 1 – Wednesday 1 February

Week 2 – Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February

Week 3 – Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February

Week 4 – Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February

Week 5 – Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March

Week 6 – Thursday 16 and Friday 17 March

Week 7 – Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 March

If all 18 days of strike action go ahead, it will be the biggest series of strikes ever to hit UK university campuses, the UCU says.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The university sector in the UK has over £40bn sitting in reserves, but instead of using that vast wealth to deliver a cost-of-living pay rise and reverse devastating pension cuts, university vice-chancellors would rather force staff to take strike action and see campuses shut down.

“There is a clear route out of these disputes, but at present vice-chancellors lack the political will to take it. They are failing staff who want to get back to work, and students who want to get on with their studies.

“Students understand that staff working conditions are their learning conditions and we are proud to have their support in these disputes. A system that relies on low pay and the rampant use of insecure contracts is a system which fails everyone.

“A resolution can be reached, but that is in the gift of university vice-chancellors who need to urgently reassess their priorities and deliver a deal that benefits staff and students. From February, our union will begin reballoting its members to allow action to continue through the rest of the academic year, should they continue to drag their feet.”

Related stories recommended by this writer:

• Confirmed: First day of Newcastle UCU strikes is in two weeks time
• Lecturers at Newcastle and Northumbria University will be striking for 18 days this term
• ‘Ask for a refund’: We spoke to lecturers on the picket lines at Newcastle University