Indefinite strike action to begin Monday 8 June over Goldsmiths lockout

The University and College Union have announced that staff will commence an indefinite strike on Monday 8 June at Goldsmiths, University of London.

The union said the imposition of 100% pay deductions for participation in action short of strike is an effective lockout, and staff will refuse to work because management refuses to pay them.

UCU began a marking boycott, as part of its action short of strike, on Monday 27 April, refusing to mark all work and assessments in a fight to protect jobs. Management responded by threatening to dock 100% of pay even if staff continue to complete all their other duties, including teaching, research and recruitment.

The employer confirmed its intention to dock pay from Friday 22 May, ahead of a bank holiday weekend, and UCU has now responded by giving notice for indefinite strike action beginning Monday 8 June.

Worryingly, university management has also reportedly issued an ultimatum to students, threatening to ban them from campus for protesting in solidarity with staff.

Currently 269 professional services staff and academics are in scope of redundancy, more than one in five of the 1,230 strong workforce. Further academic staff cuts are also slated to start from September.

This is the third round of redundancies at Goldsmiths in the last five years, and these cuts are going ahead despite close to £24m being saved in the two previous rounds.

UCU Goldsmiths co-president Joe Newman said:

Our members spent the bank holiday weekend with the reality of 100% pay deductions for their action short of strike and a lock out hanging over them, simply for taking lawful action to protect jobs, courses and student provision. We are crystal clear: docking 100% of pay is a lockout and staff facing these brutal deductions will refuse to work. That is why members have responded in the strongest possible terms: with notification of our indefinite strike.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said:

Goldsmiths management is showing its true colours by refusing to pay staff who want to continue to work and support students. If it cares about students, it should lift this threat and begin working with us so we can resolve this dispute and allow students to learn and graduate.