Strike for USS motions for debate and advice on the HR web form for recording strike action

In freezing conditions our strike action was solidly supported at UCL and around the country. Shortly after midday many pickets and supporters joined the 'March for education'.

We have received reports of widespread cancellation of lectures, empty buildings and that campus was again very quiet.

This is a reminder that today we will be meeting to discuss our progress in the dispute and plan strike action next week: 1-19 Torrington Place G12, 13:00-14:00. All members welcome.

Strike action resumes on Monday 5 March (the second phase concluding on Thursday 8 March). Materials to support picketing will be available at our meeting today.

We have received two motions for debate, see appendices below.

Our interim advice is that you do not use the HR web form for recording strike action. We have a number of concerns about the form including data protection and the unclear content and structure. However, if you have completed the form already please await further updates. If you are asked by your line manager if you have taken part in industrial action you should answer truthfully. More information to follow.

Please keep your non-union colleagues updated, encourage them to join in the action and of course to join UCU.

Keep up-to-date by following us on twitter @UCL_UCU and Facebook. You can also see details of the teach-outs that are happening during the strike on our Facebook page.

Appendix 1 - motion for discussion

Suspend the strike while new negotiations between UCU and UUK with ACAS are underway.

Appendix 2 - motion for discussion

UCL UCU congratulates UCU national officers, staff and the thousands of reps and members who made our first five days of strikes such a success.

UCL UCU believes the union's campaign has fundamentally undermined the employers arguments for the attack on USS.

UCL UCU therefore resolves to continue the present strike programme and believes that we need to announce plans to escalate our industrial action if no settlement is reached.

UCL UCU confirms that there is no deficit. With the employers arguments collapsing, our negotiators must demand that the status quo prevails.