From Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience

As I updated you last week, members of the University and College Union (UCU) will be taking three days of national strike action next week from Wednesday 1 to Friday 3 December. We regret this, and are continuing discussions with our local union so that we do as much as possible to prevent disruption to your studies.

Why industrial action is taking place

We are one of a number of universities around the country affected by the industrial action, which is centred on national-level disagreements over Pensions and Pay and Conditions. While the overall decisions affecting the dispute are taken nationally, we appreciate the strength of feeling among some of our staff and take the issues on the ballot seriously at Kent. There is more information on what we are doing on each issue on our Industrial Action Student Webpages.

What this means for you

From Wednesday to Friday next week, it is probable that:

• lectures or other timetabled classes may be disrupted or cancelled at short notice;

• research activities could be cancelled at short notice;
• other University services you use might be affected.

The Union is not obliged to tell us which of its members will not be working on the strike days so we will not know in advance what the level of disruption will be. However, we will share with you on Moodle any specific information we receive, and we recommend that you check your online course groups and your emails frequently to keep up to date about any changes that might affect you.

Wherever possible, we will work with staff to prioritise essential Student Support services so that these remain in place throughout the industrial action.

How to find out more

Alongside the information on our Industrial Action Student Webpages, Kent Union will be hosting student forums today and tomorrow where we can listen to any issues you would like to raise and answer any questions you may have. These will take place in The Venue at the following times, while you can also join online:

• Tuesday 23 November, 12:00 – 13:00 (Join via Teams)
• Wednesday 24 November, 13:00 – 14:00 (Join via Teams)

Your Divisional team will also be there to support you and will be in touch direct with details of who to contact with any queries.

Thank you for your continued patience as we manage this period, and I will continue to keep you informed of any updates as soon as I receive them.

With all good wishes,

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Student Experience