UAL against ''detrimental'' UCU strike plans

by Richard Elkins

The University of the Arts London (UAL) are "very dissapointed" that the University College Union (UCU) have confirmed they will take strike action on May 27, after a ballot of union members voted in favour.

A UAL spokesperson said: “The University is very disappointed that UCU members have voted in favour of industrial action. Whatever form any action takes, it is likely to have a detrimental impact on our students at this critical stage of the academic year."

They added: "We are open to further discussions with UCU to avoid any action.”

Ron Todd, UCU secretary at University of the Arts London (UAL), announced the date and procedure at a meeting on May 19.

Describing the result as “excellent”, Todd was dismayed at how consultations with management had been going “nowhere”.

He also went on to say that university management have “adopted the tactic” of suspending staff to mask redundancies, hinting at the suspension of Dean of Media at LCC, Julian Rodriguez.

'Strength of feelings'

This is the first time the university have takien industrial action as a single entity, having previously taken part in national demonstrations.

Todd was pleased at the result, which saw 208 members of 307 vote in favour of strike action, saying: "It shows the strength of feelings."

The UCU plans to picket outside the various colleges of UAL throughout the day, then proceed to rally outside Central Saint Martins, which Todd described as "the weakest college."

Despite a separate vote asking if members were willing to take action short of a strike resulting in 250 of 307 votes in favour, the UCU have decided that the desire to take strike action is strong enough to do so.

Arts London News is currently waiting for comment from the university about the strike.

Prior to the results of the ballot, UAL’s Rector, Nigel Carrington, said: "If UCU members gain a majority vote and take industrial action, this will regrettably lead to the disruption of student learning and access to facilities across the University.

"There may be a day, or a series of days, when staff taking action will not be undertaking their normal duties."

Ron Todd pleaded with members to devote “one or two hours at least” to the strike and confirmed the pickets will be maintained all day.

The strikes will inevitably effect student’s timetables across the whole university and, as a result, they are being advised to maintain awareness of any possible changes over the next few days.