Industrial Action Jargon Busters
Trade Union: A trade union is an organisation of workers who join together to improve their employment conditions, such as wages, benefits, and safety. They act as a collective voice for employees by negotiating with employers through a process called collective bargaining and providing support and services to their members. Trade unions help protect workers' rights and increase their bargaining power.
UCU: University and College Union – a trade union representing staff across UK higher and further education institutions. Find out more about UCU on their website here. You can also find out more information on the local branch of UCU at the University of Exeter here.
Unite: Unite trade union is a large union that represents higher education workers, including technical, administrative, and support staff, to negotiate for better pay, job security, and working conditions. Find out more here.
Unison: UNISON is a trade union representing members in higher education who work directly for universities or for service contractors. Find out more here.
Industrial Action: Industrial action takes place when negotiations between employers and members of a trade union, such as UCU, fail to resolve a dispute or reach an agreed solution. Industrial action can take the form of strike action or action or short of a strike.
Strike Action: an organised stoppage of work for a period of time.
Action short of a strike (ASOS): where workers take action such as refusing to cover for absent staff, not rescheduling lectures impacted by strike action, not providing additional materials, refusing to work overtime, etc. ASOS may also include withdrawal of goodwill and only completing duties required strictly by contract.
Picket line: a picket line refers to a form of protest taking the shape of a physical boundary created by those involved in industrial action and are typically located at the entrances of workplaces. They can take on many different forms, with some participating in a picket line by holding signs, bringing music, performing, or informing passers-by of the reasons for the picket line
UCEA: Universities and Colleges Employers Association- the representative body for universities and higher education colleges in national negotiations with the five sector trade unions, government bodies, funding councils and other stakeholders
OIA/OIAHE: Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education
Trade Union Ballot: A vote by union members to authorise industrial action. A strike mandate requires over 50% turnout and a simple majority in favour.