Durham academics strike over pay, pensions, and casualisation

It was only a few degrees outside, but those manning the picket line were undeterred and eager to discuss their cause - predominantly, pay and pensions. 

For many academics, these issues are clearly important - with hundreds in attendance across multiple events throughout the day. UCU estimated around 70,000 academics walked out nationally.

These strikes have been ongoing since 2018, with many of the same issues still on the table - such as the "unfair" pension scheme, workloads, wage equality, and low pay (which, accounting for inflation, may be as much as 25 per cent below 2009 rates).

The casualisation of academic positions and commercialisation of higher education appears to have caused many of these issues. 

Read more: Durham UCU strikes over commercialisation and casualisation

Durham University said that, though it understood the issues that concerned staff,  it was "disappointed" by the decision for industrial action, citing the "impact this will have on our students, many of whom may have been impacted by industrial action and/or the pandemic for several years."

Dr Anne Heffernan, a historian, told me that she was manning the picket line in support of colleagues on casualised contracts.

She said: "I am lucky enough to be on a permanent contract, but many of my colleagues at Durham and in other institutions do not have that security."

Being on a temporary contract of one, two, or five years means academics are unable to plan for the future, as they are unsure whether their contract will be renewed later down the line. 

Dr Heffernan claimed: "At Durham University, the number of employees on short-term and fixed-term contracts has grown increasingly since Covid."

Despite picketers' grievances - they did not seem embittered; they were happy to chat, and told me how much they loved their job. 

But some felt as though the national government was uncharitably trading on their love for their fields. 

As one person put it, "no one goes into academia for the money", but their passion for research and teaching is "being exploited". 

An academic, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they would continue to strike until they saw a change - but were also concerned that the issues could force academics out of the field, as well as degrade the quality of research and teaching. 

With ongoing strikes, the UK looks like an unappetising place for international talent - which could spell lower quality research from British institutions. 

For some, it often feels like discussions of issues in higher education are rife with hypocrisy. 

Many braved the cold and fog in Durham to man the picket line. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

Last year, the government pledged to make the UK a science and technology superpower, but researchers I spoke with felt this goal was dissonant with the way that they were being treated. 

One said: "How can they expect world-class research when we are overworked and underpaid?"

Dr Arin Mizouri, from the physics department, urged the university to "act on the words you are preaching and make me believe that you care". 

Dr Mizouri said that she has felt exploited and overworked whilst working in higher education and thought that universities' pledge for decolonisation did not align with the exploitation of staff. 

Read more: Strikes by Royal Mail workers, lecturers and teachers being solidly supported

Support for the picket line seemed tangible; every couple of minutes, a car would beep to rally the picket line, and students would stop to pick up leaflets and flags - but students also feel frustrated by the ongoing strikes. 

When asked for comment, a spokesperson for Durham University said:

"We fully understand that the outcome of the 2022 pay negotiations and the recent changes to the USS pension scheme are important issues that concern many of our staff, especially given the current cost of living pressures.   

"We are aware that the decision to vote in favour of industrial action has not been taken lightly by UCU members. However, we are disappointed by this outcome given the impact this will have on our students, many of whom may have been impacted by industrial action and/or the pandemic for several years. Our key objective is, as far as possible, to ensure our students are able to achieve their learning outcomes and maintain their access to learning.

"Pay and pensions are subject to national negotiations in which Durham University actively participates. We continue to liaise closely with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) on national pay negotiations and with Universities UK, on matters related to USS, to ensure we exercise what influence we do have on both issues."

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