I had first heard about the ‘University and College Union’ (UCU) sometime in early November 2019. As an international first-year law student, my brows had furrowed at the mention of this organization when I had wondered for the first time what their posters all across campus really meant. More than one million students across the UK had faced disruptions in their schedules when the union began its eight-day industrial action between November 25 and December 3. Approximately 43,000 members of staff at 60 universities had gone on strike in protest of unfair gender pay, pension costs and working conditions. 

Compared to other departments, the Law School at UoB had been gravely affected, with the majority of staff striking either having directly experienced injustice, or in solidarity with those that had been directly affected. I remember hearing every one of my professors explain their stance at the end of our lectures, earning my sympathy as well as a slight surge of anger. Sympathy for the prevalent 15% gender pay gap, the pension losses to support staff and the academic staff on ‘discredited zero hours contracts’.  I believed that this sympathy would endure but quite the opposite has happened.

I believed that this sympathy would endure but quite the opposite has happened

The shift in feeling began with the UCU’s decision to refuse to teach content missed during industrial action as part of their protest. Nevertheless, I believed that the reasons behind staff protests had not yet become redundant as the effectiveness of industrial action had yet to be determined. But in time I came to believe that student’s had wrongly been pushed into this nationwide academic conflict.

Lectures were cancelled and seminars stalled mid-way through the semester. There was a point where I aimlessly stared out the window wondering what I was doing. The sombre weather did not help my mood, nor did the feeling of homesickness. It was at this moment I realised the stress and increased workload were coping mechanism.

It was at this moment I realised the stress and increased workload were coping mechanism

The eight-day period eventually ended, and classes got back to normal. At least, I thought so. Just a month into the second term, another wave of industrial action by the UCU had been announced, this time for 14 days between February 20 and March 13, 2020. Supported by staff in 74 universities, the reason behind a second occurring was the universities failure to make significant improvements on pay, equality, casualization and workloads’ as mentioned on the official UCU website. An additional 200,000 students were affected this time, with 14 more university branches crossing the legal requirement of 50% turnout threshold in favor of strike. 

UCU General Secretary Jo Grady had acknowledged the foreseen disruption to students, but had warned nevertheless, ‘If universities want to avoid further disruption, they need to deal with rising pension costs, and address the problems over pay and conditions.’ While staff exercised their right to protest I could not help but ask, what about a student’s right to education?

While staff exercised their right to protest I could not help but ask, what about a student’s right to education?

A survey conducted at Bristol University during industrial action last year, reported contrasting opinions of students. While some supported staff rights and encouraged the need to emphasize on persistent issues, others condemned the action for causing such disruption. Those in favor said that this strike was a step in the right direction towards the improvement of higher education in the long-run. However, the immediate disruption faced by students was irreparable. UCU members had refused to teach content missed during this period, therefore, there will always be elements of the courses left untaught.

After emailing my Head of School, I really did support lecturers who risked their jobs to raise awareness for such important issues. However, I was not prepared to have an indeterminate common goal achieved at the cost of my education. Discussion ensued; with teachers, friends and peers. As opposed to my British counterparts, who were either aware of this annual practice or not deeply affected by an informal break during semesters, I found myself helpless.

It is common knowledge that tuition fees for international students are significantly greater, more than double the amount of what home student’s pay. I had expected a high quality education, considering UoB’s much celebrated reputation. I still have no complaints towards the quality of my education, but the probability of industrial action and the influence of UCU had never been communicated to me. Not on the UoB’s official website, nor on any forum.

I had expected a high quality education, considering UoB’s much celebrated reputation

I emotionally invested myself to pursue my degree when I took an eight-hour-long flight away from home. While it was easy for home students to use this surprise break to their advantage, I found myself miserably homesick and cold, knowing there was not much I could do in a city I barely knew. There were friends to hang out with, but often the thought of the damage to my education crossed my mind. They’re decision to strike was not wrong. But they unknowingly wronged us too.

Nearly nine months later and amidst a global pandemic we may have to tackle another UCU strike; this time to protest the university’s approach towards the health and safety of staff during the pandemic. While 82% of the staff had recently voted on a preference for online teaching only, their requests had been rejected by the university. Voting will soon commence among members of UCU Birmingham for the shift to online teaching. The branch president, David Bailey recently told Redbrick that if the official ballot results in a ‘yes’ vote, the online delivery will be made effective from the start of Semester 2. 

Nearly nine months later and amidst a global pandemic we may have to tackle another UCU strike

While students had not been given a say in the previous academic strikes, this time The Guild of Students held an online preferendum to determine their official stance on the possible strike action. While the results turned out in favor of Option one, full support of UCU Birmingham, I argue that it cannot be considered reliable. Of the supposed 38,000 student body in the university, only 1246 student votes had been recorded. The judgment would be unfair on the basis of such a small sample of students.

Once again, I as a student, find myself in a helpless position. Staff needs should be addressed, but students’ academic development and mental health should be equally valued. Therefore, While I understand Industrial action to be  a necessary step towards improved and more equal education, as an international student, I still oppose its adverse effects on my education.

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