Staff at 140 universities across the UK have announced a five-day strike set to begin at the start of the academic term as part of an ongoing dispute over pay and working conditions.

The University and College Union (UCU) revealed that members at 136 universities will stage a five-day walkout commencing on September 25. Additionally, four Scottish universities will experience strikes on slightly different dates, aligning with local actions by other unions.

The UCU also made it known that it has rescinded its marking and assessment boycott, which had been in effect since April. The union plans to reballot its members at universities regarding industrial action, with the intention of escalating the dispute by taking further action throughout the remainder of this year and into 2024.

While the strike is ongoing, staff will engage in other forms of industrial action, including adhering strictly to work rules, refraining from voluntary activities, and not rescheduling lectures or classes that were canceled due to strike action.

The UCU argued that an imposed pay increase for this year amounted to 5 percent for the majority of its members. Jo Grady, the UCU general secretary, expressed frustration, stating, "We are left with no option but to strike during the start of term because our members refuse to stand by while pay is eroded and staff are shunted onto gig-economy contracts."

Grady further criticized university administrators, saying, "It is shameful that vice-chancellors still refuse to settle the dispute despite a year of unprecedented disruption, and have instead imposed a pay award that staff overwhelmingly rejected." She highlighted the substantial financial resources of universities and stressed the importance of a fair settlement.

The UCU is advocating for an above-inflation pay increase, asserting that real-term pay has decreased by a quarter since 2009. Photo by Alarichall, Wikimedia commons.