Preferendum on Industrial Action – Position Announcement
Monday 05-12-2022 - 17:30
Voting is now closed in the Durham SU Preferendum on industrial action on campus. Thank you to all 1498 of you who placed a vote and helped to shape your SU’s position on industrial action. Thank you also to the student campaigners, student volunteers and elected representatives for encouraging students to participate in democracy and vote.
Industrial action on campus impacts all students - undergraduate, postgraduate, taught and research - and there are different views and competing interests on the matter. We know most students say they want a say directly on SU policy matters that impact them. Therefore, as your Students’ Union it's right that the entire student body resolves the question democratically.
The position that students voted for is:
I support all industrial action
This means that the SU will support staff working to contract, taking strike action and using marking and assessment boycotts. We will work to ensure students are treated fairly during any periods of industrial action, but we fully support staff taking industrial action and the use of any tactics that will benefit their campaign.
So far this term, we have seen three days of strike action (24, 25 and 30 November), and staff are currently working to contract as of the 23 November. The dispute is still ongoing, and we expect there will be further periods of industrial action next term. Your vote has helped determine how your Students' Union represents you and your fellow students throughout.
