Following the offer of a 1% pay increase from the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), the three recognised trade unions for the sector, UCU, UNISON and Unite undertook a national ballot. The unions have now informed the University that its members intend to take strike action on Thursday 31 October.
The University is committed to minimising the effect of this action upon its students, staff not involved in the action, customers and other stakeholders.
The University enjoys constructive and productive relations with all three unions and respects the rights of their members to take industrial action. Nevertheless, the University will withdraw pay from staff taking industrial action in accordance with its policy which can be found at: http://www.southampton.ac.uk/hr/services/withholding_pay/how_do_i.php.
USS contributions will be maintained for this day so that there is no risk of a break in pensionable service for individuals involved in the action.
You can find the UCEA statement regarding this issue at the following web site: http://www.ucea.ac.uk/en/news/index.cfm/strike22Oct
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Adam Wheeler (Provost)