The University and College Union has announced further strikes going into February and March. Wanting to show support to the staff supporting their studies, we answer if students can go on strike as well.
As university staff plan to strike over 18 days in the next couple of months, it’s expected there will be some disruption to classes and campus facilities. If your lesson does end up cancelled and you want to show your support to university staff, or are angry your studies have been disrupted, then we can tell you if students can go on strike too.
Can Students Go On Strike?
Looking at UK Student Climate Network which has helped organise strikes, students are allowed to strike.
If students are in compulsory education, then they must seek permission to miss time off school. However, if you are in university then you are allowed to strike, as long as it is peaceful and does not break any laws. You should always write to your university first to try and solve any disagreements. If strike action is necessary, then ensure that your university is kept involved in the plans. That being said, you do not need to give the names of students choosing to strike.
Students are also allowed to join picket lines to show their support for UCU strikes. This shows student/staff solidarity, bringing more attention to the cause and need for change.
How Can Students Support University Strikes?
There are lots of ways to support the UCU strikes even if you don’t join the picket lines.
Firstly, you can simply raise awareness. This could be putting up flyers about industrial action around the university or in student accommodation. It could be speaking with your teachers and other staff members to really understand why they are striking. Talking to those who aren’t convinced by the strike action to convey why it’s important also helps raise awareness. In the age of social media, you can vocalise your support on your Instagram or more to get the message across.
You can also write to your university. This could be your student union, Vice Chancellor or even the government. Pressuring them for change from a student perspective adds to the necessity for change by showing the impact on students too. As students are the ones possibly losing out on contact time, emphasising your support for the university strikes negates any criticism that it is negatively affecting students.
If you are unable to join the picket lines for one reason or another, then you can still convince friends and fellow students too as well!
There are so many ways for students to show their support. However, if you do feel negatively impacted, remember it’s not the staff’s fault for being underpaid. Organise your own strikes targeted towards government action for compensation, or join in with UCU strikes to highlight its impact.