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Industrial Action

Industrial Action

You may be aware that members of the University and College Union (UCU), representing academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, have been involved in recent strike action.  

Following constructive engagement with our UCU branch, both parties have agreed terms to end the current industrial action.   

As a result, UCU has agreed to call off the remaining strike action and to withdraw their current ballot to renew their mandate for industrial action. We welcome this decision and are pleased that the dispute has now ended by mutual agreement. 

On 20 June, the University confirmed it has achieved its target of £20 million in recurrent savings from future years’ salary budgets. You can read more in the latest update on Newcastle University finances, published on 23 June on the Student Noticeboard. 

For any queries, further information or support: 

Student enquiry form
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Student Health and Wellbeing Services
(Webpage last updated: Thursday 19 June 2025)

Previous updates 

In line with the regulatory statement from the Office for Students, the University will pay fair compensation to students impacted by industrial action where contingency plans fail to deliver teaching, assessment, or other promised aspects of students’ experience or to recognise the difficulties students have experienced.  

The compensation framework for missed teaching that has not been repeated or replaced in a timely manner up to the end of Semester 2 of the 2024-25 academic year has now been agreed. 

Students who are eligible for compensation will have been sent an email to their University email address on Thursday 19 June which sets out their compensation offer.  

Students should follow the instructions in the email to claim their payment. 

Students who have questions about the compensation framework can contact us via the Industrial Action Enquiries Form. 

(Published on Thursday 19 June 2025) 

On 22 May 2025, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, announced that further discontinuous strike action would take place on the following dates: 

  • Week 1: Friday 6 June 
  • Week 2: Monday 9 to Friday 13 June 
  • Week 3: Monday 16 to Friday 20 June  
  • Week 4: Monday 23 to Friday 27 June  (To note: this is in addition to Saturday 28 June already declared on 11 April) 
  • Week 5: Monday 30 June to Friday 4 July 
  • Week 6: Monday 7 to Friday 11 July 
  • Week 7: Monday 14 to Thursday 17 July 

In addition, continuous action short of strike that commenced on 4 March 2025 continues. The action short of strike comprises working to contract, not undertaking voluntary duties, not providing cover for non-replaced staff. As a reminder, the mandate for action continues until 9 August 2025. 

UCU members do not need to inform us in advance whether they will be taking action.  This means we may not be able to tell you who will be impacted in advance, however, it is likely that many of you will not be affected at all.  

We want to reassure you that our goal is to minimise the impact of any strike action on your educational experience and we have procedures in place to achieve this.   

Our focus is on fair treatment for all students and maintaining academic standards while enabling you to progress or achieve your awards. 

Where teaching and assessment is disrupted, the University has approval from Senate (the governing body for academic matters) to implement guidance for programme delivery and assessment, and for any further disruption until the end of the academic year. 

We understand that it is an unsettling time for our community and you may have questions and concerns. Please let us know by contacting us via this form and we will respond to you directly. We will also use the questions that we receive to provide further updates on this webpage and in our FAQs. 

Please remember that if you have concerns that are affecting your wellbeing at any time throughout your studies you can access support from our Student Health and Wellbeing Services. 

(Published on Friday 23 May 2025) 

On 11 April 2025, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, announced that 21 days of strike action would take place on the following dates: 

  • Monday 28 April, Thursday 1 and Friday 2 May 
  • Wednesday 7, Thursday 8, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 May 
  • Monday 12, Tuesday 13, Wednesday 14, Thursday 15 and Friday 16 May 
  • Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Wednesday 21, Thursday 22 and Friday 23 May 
  • Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 May 
  • Friday 27 and Saturday 28 June 

UCU have also announced that its members will continue action short of a strike, which commenced on Tuesday 4 March. 

(Published on Tuesday 15 April 2025) 

On 14 February 2025, the University and College Union (UCU), which represents academics, lecturers, researchers and administrators at Newcastle University, announced that 14 days of strike action would take place on the following dates: 

  • Week 1: Tuesday 4 and Thursday 6 March  
  • Week 2: Monday 10, Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 March 
  • Week 3: Monday 17, Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 March  
  • Week 4: Monday 24, Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26, Thursday 27 and Friday 28 March 

UCU have also announced that its members will begin action short of a strike from Tuesday 4 March. 

(Published on Friday 14 February 2025)