We’re sure you’re all aware that strike action is currently taking place across February and March as UCU campaigns for better working conditions for professors, GTAs (Graduate Teaching Assistants), and other University staff like researchers and librarians. 70,000 members of staff are set to go on strike nationwide. Following previous strike action in November, LSE are still yet to make any further offers on the issues of casualisation, workload and equality pay gaps. As a result, UCU has announced unprecedented strike action spanning 18 days in February and March. 

The LSESU, and therefore the Advice Service, fully supports and stands in solidarity with our fellow union members UCU, and LSE students voted for LSESU to lobby LSE to accept the UCU demands. However, we understand that students will have differing opinions on this issue and will be rightly concerned about the impact this will have on their learning and LSE experience. With this in mind the SU Representation Team has put together a one stop shop for all strike related enquiries. We highly recommend you have a read through their information if you have any concerns over this issue. You can also email them at su.representation@lse.ac.uk if you have anything specific you would like to raise or discuss.

The Advice Service is currently seeing enquiries about monetary compensation for lost teaching time. LSE has not yet stated as to whether they will offer refunds for cancelled lectures/seminars as they did in February 2022. However, we encourage students to email key decision makers and put pressure on them to offer compensation again, or students can contact the SU sabbatical team who can speak on behalf of students with regards to this.

You can find more information from LSE on learning during strike action here.

You can find more information from the UCU on strike action here.

The 18 days strike action dates are as follows:

• Week 1 - Wednesday 1 February  

• Week 2 - Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February 

• Week 3 - Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February 

• Week 4 - Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February 

• Week 5 - Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March 

• [No action week commencing Monday 6 March] 

• Week 6 - Thursday 16 and Friday 17 March 

• Week 7 - Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 March

Please note that whilst many LSE buildings will be closed on these days, the LSESU and Advice Service will be open and continue to operate as usual. The Saw Swee Hock building will not be picketed and has some limited study space.

Blog written by Laurence Mackavoy (with help from the SU Representation Team). Laurence works as an Advice Caseworker for the LSESU Advice Service.

THE LSESU ADVICE TEAM

The LSESU Advice Team is based on the 3rd floor of the Saw Swee Hock Building and we provide free, independent and confidential advice to all LSE students on academic and housing matters. We also administer the Hardship Fund, the Childcare Fund and the Graduation Gown Support Fund (GGSF).

Our service is currently operating using a hybrid working pattern. We are still open and can be accessed by emailing su.advice@lse.ac.uk. You can also book a telephone or Zoom appointment with an adviser through Student Hub.