Industrial action latest updates for staff

Latest updates for staff about the industrial action.

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Copies of communications sent to all staff about industrial action.

29 April: Arrangements during industrial action

Dear colleagues

Over the past couple of weeks we have shared updates via This Week In Focus about a forthcoming period of industrial action called by the University and College Union (UCU). Following a recent vote in favour of taking industrial action from members of UCU’s Sheffield branch, they will be asking their members to take 10 days of strike action on Wednesday 30 April, Tuesday 6 to Friday 9 May, and Monday 12 to Friday 16 May, and to take continuous action short of a strike from Thursday 1 May. 

The dispute centres on the union seeking a guarantee from the University that there will be no compulsory redundancies. Whilst we share the aim to avoid compulsory redundancies, unfortunately, given the difficult decisions we need to take at Sheffield to ensure the University’s ability to operate in light of a challenging financial and student recruitment position – which is also affecting the UK higher education sector as a whole – we are not in a position to make the commitments they are looking for. 

We do have a good track record of avoiding compulsory redundancies and achieving staffing reductions through voluntary means and redeployment opportunities, and we have made a firm commitment to UCU to ensure that, in any consultation processes linked to restructuring in this academic year and next, we will offer voluntary severance on the same terms as the recent scheme to help avoid the need for compulsory redundancies. 

However, we are now anticipating that the planned industrial action will go ahead. I recognise that the decision of individual members to participate in industrial action is not taken lightly, and I respect their right to do so. I also acknowledge the impact this will have on colleagues who are not taking part and I thank you in advance for your efforts during this time. As a University, our collective priority will be to mitigate the impacts of the action on our students. 

Many colleagues will not be taking part in industrial action, but for those who are planning to, I have set out below the University’s position. Please read this if you are intending to participate. 

All of the below information, as well as a set of FAQs, can be found on our industrial action web pages: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/industrial-action 

With best wishes,

Ian Wright

Director of HR

Information for colleagues taking part in industrial action

Taking strike action:

If you take strike action on any of the identified strike days, you must complete the University's strike notification form on your first day of returning to work after any day of strike action. Ensure you click ‘submit’ when you have completed all of the information: https://forms.gle/ttjkUxyKg7grS1xGA

Staff participating in picketing of University buildings are reminded that picket lines should be peaceful and comprise people employed by the University. Staff, students and other visitors must be allowed to enter buildings where pickets are present. UCU has previously issued useful and clear guidance to their members on picketing and expected behaviours, which the University supports. This is available at: https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/1132/Branch-picket-guidance/pdf/ucu_picketing-guidance1.pdf

Payroll deductions for strike action:

For those colleagues taking part in strike action, you will be in breach of your contract of employment and so you will not be paid for the days you are on strike. The deductions will be made in the next available payroll. Further details, including how the pay deductions will be made and the impact on part-time staff, GTAs, and casual workers participating in action, can be found at: https://staff.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/policies/industrial-action 

Taking action short of a strike (ASOS):

If you choose to take any form of ASOS, whether you or your trade union consider it to be a breach of contract or not, you are required to complete the action short of a strike notification form at the end of each week that you participate in ASOS. Ensure you click ‘submit’ when you have completed all of the information: https://forms.gle/bNpjW34nqUDqMR5r7 

Payroll deductions for ASOS:

The University does not accept partial performance of the contract of employment. Where participation in ASOS constitutes a breach of contract, the University reserves the right to deduct pay and to withhold up to 100 per cent of pay from staff not fulfilling all express and implied terms of their contracts: https://staff.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/policies/industrial-action

The ASOS that UCU is currently calling on members to take from Thursday 1 May may constitute a breach of contract and could therefore result in pay deductions. Initially, whilst we assess the nature and impact of the action to determine whether it has constituted a breach of contract, the University will not withhold pay. We will continue to review the nature and impact of the ASOS to determine whether pay deductions will apply from a later date and reserve the right to withhold pay as outlined above and in line with our position of not accepting partial performance of the contract of employment. If the position on pay deductions changes, we will issue further communications to let you know the details before deductions are made. 

Multi-factor authentication:

UCU is calling on members to not use personal devices for work purposes. Many staff will use the Duo Mobile app on their personal devices for multi-factor authentication to log onto University systems. If you choose not to use the Duo Mobile app on your personal device, you must collect a hardware token in person at the earliest possible opportunity to ensure you can access University systems. Hardware tokens are available for staff who chose not to use their personal device to log in. These can be collected from the following locations on 1, 2, 19 and 20 May, between 9am and 4pm:

  • Arts Tower - Floor 13  - PS Office

  • Computing Centre - Main Reception

  • ELTC Building (for ELTC staff only)

  • Information Commons - TechBar

  • Jessop West 1st Floor - Ground Floor - Jessop West Foyer

  • The Wave - C605 

Outside of these dates, you will be able to collect a token from the Computing Centre or the TechBar in the Information Commons. 

You must bring your UCard with you when collecting a hardware token, no other form of identification will be accepted. Tokens must be collected on campus.

Whilst it is possible to contact the IT Service Desk to request a temporary bypass code, this is intended only as a temporary measure, not as a long-term means to log in to University systems. If you choose not to use the Duo Mobile app on your personal device, hardware tokens are being provided as the alternative means of accessing University systems.