Email Suggestions

Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) is beginning to have a big impact, and staff are going to be increasingly under pressure to do certain outstanding tasks to a deadline. We’ve already seen a number of emails from line managers coming in. We advise you not to ignore these emails but to respond in a timely fashion. Please see below some considerations in your responses.

Check if what you are being asked to do is allowed under ASOS (you should not be rescheduling classes lost due to strike action for example). Therefore, requests will might largely revolve around marking and attendance at panels.
Be polite and professional about saying ‘No’ during ASOS.
Decline voluntary work (such as progression/examination panels): Contact the convenor of the panel to say that due to your workload you will struggle to attend/do this piece of work within this timeframe, but you are happy to rearrange. Be apologetic but close the email with: I hope you understand.
For emails about marking to line managers/course directors: Try not to say NO directly, or frame your response negatively, e.g. I can’t, I won’t.
Do not be apologetic or explain the reason why you have not done the work is due to industrial action unless the line manager knows this is the case. Simply, respond by stating which work you are currently doing, but that you would be happy to reprioritise at their suggestion. Do not indicate that this will cause delays to the work left in the reprioritisation. Don’t use any negative, apologetic or explanatory language (I can’t, Sorry, but, I’m taking industrial action).
If your line manager refers to ASOS incorrectly – use the UCU ASOS FAQs page to explain the full remit – don’t attempt to explain it yourself or copy all the advice in the email. Just provide the link.
Look to when YOU can do this work and make sure YOU set the deadline.

Templates you can incorporate into your email responses to your line managers:

The first opportunity I have to do this work will be [insert date]. Please let me know what you would like me to prioritise.
I was prioritising [insert level/cohort] marking but I’m happy to reprioritise the [insert level/cohort] marking instead.
No member of staff considering taking industrial action has to let anyone know of their intentions – only after the event. It does not matter whether you are in the union or not, if you want to show support for the action being taken – please join us. Arranging cover is not your responsibility and you cannot be penalised for exercising your democratic right to protest.
Taking part in industrial action does have an impact on the capacity to meet deadlines. Even without participating in action, many staff struggle to meet those deadlines and in the vast majority of cases these deadlines are met by working evenings and weekends on a regular basis. This impacts staff and the education students receive negatively. Indeed this is one of the main reasons for action besides pay and pensions: the workload is too great and this has been recognised by our employers. I could not plan or anticipate the true impact of industrial action and so could not give any prior notice. In such situations work can be re-prioritised and we can communicate to students that their work will be marked. Please let me know which marking would you like me to prioritize and I can let you know the deadline.
Consider telling your colleagues why you are taking action in your email reply:

We are over deployed and undervalued, and the quality of the educational experience continues to diminish for students and staff alike at an alarming rate. Staff have experienced a real cut in wages and there is a continuing trend to hire staff on precarious contracts. This affects the quality of the educational experience as staff come and go in search of more secure tenure. Students are being short changed too: in the eight years I have been here we have gone from induction weeks with hospitality included – and free welcome packs for students to on-line induction days with not so much as a a free branded pen! No refreshments or useful starter gifts are issued. The campus looks disorganised, no printers work and there is a noticeable absence of any help bring available when it is needed.

We must fight this. Be part of a national campaign with a huge mandate for change. Enough is Enough – both UCU and Unison Colleagues at Leeds Beckett – and colleagues across the whole nation – will be out together on Thursday and Friday, sending a strong message to employers.

If you are worried about loss of pay we have a Fighting Fund for members who strike and they will be able to claim strike pay. Not a UCU member yet? No worries – simply get in touch with me to start the ball rolling and join our growing and active membership. Don’t delay, join today…subscriptions are very reasonable and you can claim back expenses for your membership at the end of each tax year. You can even join the union on strike days!

This is a rare opportunity to do something historic that could bring much needed change to the sector, but it’s also an opportunity to be part of a national movement and stand with other public servants who are also at breaking point. Come and show your support and bring your students along too!

We have the support of the NUS and encourage both tutors and students to get involved. UCU members will be at all major entrances across both campuses where you can pick up placards and leaflets to hand out. We’d love you to bring your own placard or banner too!

If you have any questions or would like further clarification please contact your school representative.