The Branch General Meeting on 27^th April passed a motion (full text below) calling for indefinite strike action if the university confirmed 100% deductions for participation in the Marking and Assessment boycott. As the threat of deductions has indeed been confirmed, UCU today notified the Vice-Chancellor that indefinite strike action will begin on 15^th June.

Chloe, as Branch President, is contacting the Vice-Chancellor with a request for an urgent meeting with university management in the hope of resolution. We really hope that we do not have to strike – we hope that university management will meet with us and will withdraw the threat of punitive deductions.

However, if the strike does go ahead, we know that we will see a strong turnout on the picket lines to show that a threat to one of us is a threat to all.

Emergency motion passed 27^th April: Branch response to punitive deductions

This branch notes

• the national marking and assessment boycott in furtherance of the Four Fights dispute
• the University of Leeds’ threat to deduct 100% of pay of staff participating in the marking and assessment boycott, which is punitive and intimidatory
• that by 26th April the University had not given details of how deductions will be determined and the dates when deductions will be triggered.

This branch instructs officers, when the threat of deductions is confirmed, to seek authorisation from national officers to notify the University of our intention to take indefinite strike action as soon as possible, unless and until the University withdraws its threat.