UCU votes to suspend industrial action, calling off the strikes

UCU conducted a ballot that was open between the 4th of April, till today at 2pm. The results of the ballot came in significantly quickly after it was closed, with UCU posting this tweet:

In the member consultation on the #USSstrike ballot, 64% of members who voted voted to accept the proposals on a record 63.5% turnout. All strikes are suspended. Message has gone to members. More on https://t.co/DjyFmHIKhv shortly.

— UCU (@ucu) April 13, 2018

Many Southampton students have lost up to 3 weeks of lectures, so many will be happy that the strikes are over and get back to studying. However, there may be strikes further on in the summer term, that could potentially disrupt examinations and possibly even graduations.

Not everyone is happy with this suspension, as many thought that voting yes to stop the strikes may cause the loss of UCU’s momentum.

There’s going to be heated disagreement on this (I voted no, btw) but I would implore all members to stay vigilant in what will be a long-term fight against things such as: increasing surveillance, casualization, pay cuts, staff rights… @SouthamptonUCU @ucu https://t.co/ffEuLK9Vkz

— George Gilbert (@GeorgeGilbert) April 13, 2018

ITS NOT A DEAL @timeshighered! It’s a vaguely worded proposal that guarantees NOTHING. This is exactly why it will be impossible to remobilize the strike – we’ve just lost the damn narrative! THIS IS MY FUTURE YOU’VE JUST THROWN AWAY @SouthamptonUCU @UCU! #USSstrike #Students https://t.co/h5tyibeOHD

— Kate Rogers (@archdox) April 13, 2018

Students themselves have also had mixed feelings:

“Give me my money back” – Molly Mortimer

“Even though I loved the days off, they should give me money back for the stress” Jordi Skilbeck

“Where has our money gone?” Megan Wood

It is clear that the although it has cooled down for now, this fight is not over.