Sheffield universities reveal impact of eight-day strike

Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield are among 60 universities across the country where the walkouts, involving up to 43,000 members of the University and College Union (UCU), including lecturers, are taking place.

The union says members have reached ‘breaking point’ over a number of issues, including workload, real-term cuts in pay and pension changes which it estimates could leave lecturers around £240,000 worse off in retirement over their career.

But universities argue the union has made negotiations ‘impossible’ by demanding employers pay the full cost of an increase in pension contributions, which they claim would be ‘unaffordable’ and could lead to cuts to courses and larger class sizes.

It is estimated that the strike, which is due to take place for five days this week and three days from Monday, December 2, will disrupt lectures for more than a million students nationally.

The University of Sheffield is one of 42 universities nationally where staff are striking over pay and pensions, while Sheffield Hallam is one of 14 where workers are taking action over pay and conditions.

Both universities remain open during the strikes, and this is what they had to say.

The University of Sheffield said it expected up to 800 of its 8,000 staff to take part in the action, which meant many teaching sessions and assessments would go ahead as normal.

Professor Koen Lamberts, president and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “We understand that many staff at universities across the UK have concerns around pay and pensions, and we are working in partnership with trade union colleagues to see what more can be done locally and to use our influence to try to shape the national debate. We are keen to find a meaningful negotiated solution so we can end the disputes and any further disruption.

“The university fully respects the right of staff to take industrial action, and we accept that action is not taken lightly. However, we have a responsibility to minimise any disruption to our students and staff who choose not to participate. We will do all we can to ensure that the impact of this action is minimal.”

Sheffield Hallam University said in a statement: “The university will remain open during this period of industrial action.

“Whilst we will make every effort to minimise disruption for students and the wider university community through alternative arrangements, we acknowledge that activities could be affected.

“We are keeping students informed of the latest information, but we are keen to stress that the University, our library, help desks and other student services will remain open as normal during this time.”