This afternoon, the UCU confirmed that 14 days of strike action across four weeks will occur at 74 universities across the UK. The dates affected are between the 20th of February to the 13th of March.

Whilst many students are sympathetic to the causes for strike action and reject the increasing neoliberalisation of higher education, we are frustrated with the district lack of communication regarding the possibility strikes from organisations and members across the dispute.

It is unforgivable that no concerted effort was made by the UCU, Universities UK, the NUS and university leadership to inform students that fresh strikes were even a distinct possibility. Right now, students across the country are being sent frantic messages by their peers informing them that there will be another strike - four weeks of it no less - with this being the first time they have ever heard of it. This means that students have been given two weeks notice of the strikes, when in reality the strike dates in question have been articulated since December 2019. 

For many, this is the third time the effects of strike action has been experienced during their degrees. The destabilising effects of strike action can be better mitigated with more notice, which has not been afforded to us. Students can formulate a mental health plan, schedule counselling and plan their dissertation around the strikes with this level of notice.

It is the responsibility of all organisations and members in this dispute to inform students of the possibility of strike action. The reasons for why this betrayal has occurred must be uncovered.