University and Colleges Union (UCU), the trade union representing academics and academic support staff in the UK, have voted to take industrial action against increasing casualisation, pay gaps, decreasing pay, and huge workloads.

As students, we can show support for our academic and academic support staff, who worked in difficult contexts for a number of years to support students. Many of the affected UCU members are underpaid, casualised Doctoral Tutors or support staff who are also students at Sussex and equal, important members of the Students’ Union.

Decisions have been made which have left staff overworked and unable to provide the best education to students. We know and appreciate that staff are invested in our education - but this education is often disrupted by staff illness due to overwork, delays, short-staffing, and lack of support. A recent study found that 70% of staff at universities are burned out and afraid to ask for help at work.

Staff working conditions are also our learning conditions, and we all stand to gain from improvements to staff workloads, pay, job security, and equal pay. Supporting UCU may improve things at Sussex for all of us, as successful collective action can win better working conditions for staff, and therefore better learning conditions for students at Sussex.

As well in their capacity as staff at the University, UCU members have been strong allies of the Students’ Union and of students in other ways. They worked with us and the University to ensure that students who have to isolate due to coronavirus get a student support package including money towards the costs of isolating. They have also worked with us for racial justice at Sussex, with the other trade unions on campus, Unite and Unison, and often work behind the scenes to support trans and non-binary students and others. It would be nice for us to return this solidarity.

Signing this action will sign you up to our strikes mailing list. We will be sending students updates on industrial action, all the events you can attend to demonstrate your solidarity, and give you ideas on how you can demonstrate your support for striking lecturers.

Signing up to our Strike Action is your first step in demonstrating solidarity with your lecturers.

For more information about the reasoning behind the strikes. visit our Strike Information Hub