UCU stands for the University and College Union, representing over 120,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK.
Last January (2025), Durham University announced cuts of tens of millions of pounds to its annual budget. The Vice-Chancellor says that these cuts are unavoidable and are necessary because of government policy, which has increased costs and reduced international student fee income.
We set out our position on cuts last academic year. UCU, the University and Colleges Union went on strike last year, and more recently have voted for further industrial action. You can read UCUs position here.
A picket line is the boundary formed by striking workers outside their place of employment. In Durham, this will most likely be across key teaching locations. If you would like to be aware of where the picket lines are, UCU will most likely share these on their social media.
In short - if you want to. For striking staff members, crossing a picket line represents breaking the strike. UCU are clear that how students engage with the picket line is up to them. You may decide to cross a picket line to get into university buildings, or you may decide that you don’t want to cross the picket as an act of support for striking staff.
We’d encourage you to still access the support that you need - utilise Disability Support, the Counselling Service, or the International Office as usual. Using these services, going into the Palatine centre, teaching in Elvet or going to the library is not breaking the picket line. You mustn’t feel like you are undermining the strike if you use any of these services.
UCU are very clear that they wish students to still use student services like Disability Support, the Counselling Service, or the International Office as usual. Using these services, going into the Palatine centre, or going to the library is not breaking the picket line. You mustn’t feel like you are undermining the strike if you use any of these services.
Postgraduates should not be asked to cover for striking academics. If you are asked, this would technically be strike-breaking.
According to the university: If any classes or contact points are missed because of the strike it is recorded as an authorised absence.
ASK can support students impartially and independently to understand their rights, as well as signpost to the most useful services for you.
Contact your Head of Department for more information about academic matters, including the mitigations being put in place for your specific course.
Check the University web pages first, and then ask a member of the College staff.
It’s the University’s responsibility to minimise disruption and ensure that vital services stay operational.
Glossary/Jargon buster
Trade Union - An organised association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, trade unions are formed to protect and further the rights and interests of their members (this is different to students’ unions which are charities rather than trade unions).
UCU - University and College Union, UCU, is a trade union that represents a large number of University staff in the UK, such as lecturers, professional service staff and postgraduate students.
UUK - Universities UK, UUK, is a representative organisation for the UK's universities.
USS - Universities Superannuation Scheme, USS, is one of the largest principal private pension schemes for universities and other higher education institutions in the UK.
Industrial Action - Industrial action is action taken by employees as a protest which can, for example, take the form of either a strike or action short of a strike.
Action Short of a Strike [ASOS] - Action short of a strike is an organised action by a body of employees as a form of a protest through actions that, as the name suggests, are just short of a strike. UCU has announced that in this dispute action short of a strike means that their members will only work to contract; not cover for absent colleagues; not reschedule lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action; and not undertake any voluntary activities over the course of the announced strike dates.
Ballot - Either a system of voting secretly and in writing on a particular issue, or as a verb, an organisation asking members to vote secretly on an issue.
Marking & Assessment Boycott - A marking and assessment boycott is an industrial action where educators cease all marking and assessment activities, impacting students' academic progress and outcomes.
Picket line - A boundary established by workers on strike, especially at the entrance to the place of work, which others are asked not to cross.
Strike - A strike is a refusal to work organised by a body of employees as a form of protest.
Teach-outs – these are forms of protest where people come together for a teaching session outside of the University structure. A lot of the time they focus on topics of activism, the wider strike movement and building solidarity.
Work to Rule - Often part of ASOS and wider industrial action – where union members work to the exact terms of their contract.
Casualisation of work - When a workforce’s employees are less frequently given permanent contracts and more frequently hired on insecure, temporary or casual job contracts (such as zero-hour contracts).
Fixed Term – this is a type of contract between an employer and employee that lasts for a specified period.
Permanent – this is a type of contract between an employer and employee that does not have a predetermined end date to the employment.
Zero Hour – this is a type of contract between an employer and an employee whereby the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum number of working hours to the employee.
Page last reviewed: 27/04/2026