We understand how frustrating strike action will be for our students and staff.
We are focused on doing everything we can to minimise the impact on teaching and learning working closely with faculties and departments to provide support and help to ensure that students continue to receive the best possible experience at King's.
We continue to strive to find a constructive and collaborative way forward, recognising that certain issues raised such as those on pensions and pay are negotiated and decided at a national level, so while we do our best to influence and secure the best outcome for our staff, the final decision is not ours to make.
What is industrial action?
Industrial action is the general term for collective legal actions taken by employees of a company or organisation as a protest.
Strike action is a form of industrial action where some workers who belong to a trade union collectively withdraw their labour. At universities, this may include not doing any work-related activity, such as security and cleaning services, teaching, marking assessments, attending meetings, sending emails related to work and carrying out administrative tasks as well as not preparing for work scheduled after the staff member returns from being on strike.
The union will notify the university of strike days at least two weeks in advance. However, individual staff members are not legally required to notify the university of their intention to strike on these defined days.
What is action short of strike (ASOS)?
Action short of a strike (ASOS) is when staff take other action such as limiting some of their work-related activities outside of any strike days. ASOS is determined by the union and can run simultaneously to strike days and continue until the union calls it off.
What is the dispute about?
The dispute by the UNISON trade union is in relation to pay which cannot be resolved locally by the university. Rates of pay as in most universities are negotiated annually through National Pay Bargaining, a process which King's fully supports as it promotes fairness and equality across the sector.
Which trade unions are King's staff members of?
There are three trade unions which staff can join:
- UNISON represent staff who provide services such as security, cleaning, libraries and other services.
- Universities College Union (UCU) represent academics, researchers, teaching staff as well as members in academic related roles.
- Unite represents mainly staff in professional services roles, particularly those in technical roles.
Which unions have a mandate for industrial action at King's?
UNISON has a mandate for industrial action which relates to pay and runs until 26 March 2023.
UCU has a mandate for industrial action on pay and conditions, and on the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) which runs until 7 October 2022 when their mandate expires.
UCU are in the process of balloting their members again, the ballot opened on 6 September and closes on 21 October 2022. We will update you once we receive formal notification of the results of this ballot.
When will industrial action take place and what will this mean?
Unison has declared three strike days on Tuesday 27 September to Thursday 29 September 2022.
How could industrial action affect me?
The university will remain open, and we will do everything we can to ensure you continue to have access to the facilities and services on campus including informal study spaces, libraries and computer rooms.
There may be some changes to opening and closing times of some of our buildings and some entrances and exits may not be in use. Signs will be in place to direct you to alternative entrances and exits.
Some of the opening times for libraries may change so please check the libraries website.
Our student advice, wellbeing and welfare services will continue to be available throughout this time.
How could industrial action affect research?
We don’t expect the industrial action to have any significant effects on research. Please continue with your research, as guided by your supervisor(s).
We expect related training courses and workshops to continue as normal, so you should attend unless you are advised otherwise by the relevant department or training provider.
If you are a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), please see the staff Q&A.
I’m a King’s Online student. How could industrial action affect me?
We are not expecting the industrial action to have any significant effect on King's Online students.
What happens to teaching and learning during industrial action?
We are expecting classes to go ahead as scheduled, including the supervision of projects and dissertations and you should attend unless your department tell you otherwise. You should also continue to submit any assignments you have to existing deadlines.
Will I still be able to access campus during industrial action?
Yes, the university will remain open, and we will do everything we can to ensure you continue to have access to the facilities and services on campus including informal study spaces, libraries and computer rooms.
We will support you with your studies and independent learning. Our student advice, wellbeing and welfare services will continue to be available to you throughout this time.
Some of the opening times for libraries may change so please check the libraries website.
What additional support is available for my personal and professional development?
King’s Edge is a programme of extracurricular initiatives and events available to all students, including internships and volunteering opportunities, languages courses, community organising and much more. It will continue to be available throughout industrial action.
You can also sign up for a careers appointment on King's CareerConnect and one of our experienced Careers Consultants will help you discover your options, guide your focus, and action your ideas. Appointments are available in person and online.
You can find out more about our careers offering at King’s and further opportunities available to you on Student News.
How will the industrial action affect my visa in terms of my attendance record?
Your Student visa conditions are not affected by the industrial action. You should attend as scheduled, and the normal processes for attendance monitoring will apply to undisrupted sessions.
I'm a visiting study abroad/exchange student. How could industrial action affect me?
The university will remain open, and we will do everything we can to ensure you continue to have access to the facilities and services on campus including informal study spaces, libraries and computer rooms to enable you to continue your studies and independent learning.
There may be some changes to opening and closing times of some of our buildings and some entrances and exits may not be in use. Signs will be in place to direct you to alternative entrances and exits.
Some of the opening times for libraries may change so please check the libraries website.
Our student advice, wellbeing and welfare services will continue to be available throughout this time
Will I still be able to get access to student services?
Student services should be available throughout any strike action period. More information is available on Student Services Online.
Students can also access impartial and confidential academic advice support services through our Student Union advice webpage.
Where can I go for support?
We understand that industrial action can cause additional stress and pressure on top of your studies. You may wish to speak to your department or the following services:
- Advice & Guidance Team - For advice relating to your studies, including financial and immigration advice.
- Faculty Wellbeing & Welfare Advisors - You can book an appointment with our team of advisors to discuss and support your personal wellbeing.
- Chaplaincy - Emotional support and practised listeners for students of all faiths and none.
- Togetherall - 24/7 External and confidential online support and wellbeing service.
- KCLSU Advice - Impartial academic advice for students with issues affecting their studies.
If you are struggling with your mental health, you can register for counselling appointments and access different support options at student mental health support. A range of support is available outside King's usual working hours (9.00-17.00, Monday to Friday). For more information, including our King's Counselling Online service, please visit our article on Mental health support during evening, weekends & vacation periods.
Important to know: The services listed above are not able to answer questions about the industrial action.
Can I complain about any possible disruption from the industrial action?
The university remains committed to delivering an educational programme for each student during any period of industrial action and it will seek to ensure that students remain able to complete their programmes of study, progress and graduate as anticipated.
There is a specific process and complaint form for raising a complaint in relation to industrial action. Details are available in the following article, including timeframes for submitting your complaint.
Important to know: Faculties and departments are unable to deal with any complaints, and these should be directed through the identified process.
I feel worried about crossing a picket line. What should I do?
Students should not feel intimidated about crossing any picket line. People on the picket line can ask for permission to explain their dispute to students and staff coming in and out of our buildings but this activity must be carried out peacefully at all times. Our security staff will continue to be available to support students and staff as usual.
If you do feel intimidated in any way or witness any behaviour you find concerning, please contact the security at your campus.
If you feel that you have been the target of harassment or bullying, you can find relevant help at Report & Support.
Report & Support is the university's dedicated online space which allows staff, students and visitors to report concerns or request access to support, Report & Support also provides guidance and information articles about bullying, harassment, hate incidents or sexual or physical violence, as well as information about the options and support available.
Who can I send questions to?
If you have any questions or concerns that are not answered here, please contact us by submitting an enquiry through our online enquiry form.
When asked what your enquiry is about, please select ‘Other’, then ‘All other enquiries’, to help us get your question to the right team.