President's Statement on Threat of Marking Boycott

You may have read in the press this week that UCU  (Universities and Colleges Union), which represents a significant number of lecturers at Cardiff Met, have announced that unless the UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association) agree to engage in meaningful talks over pay, they will sanction a national marking boycott from 28th April.

The BBC has covered the story here: University marking boycott threatens final exams

This “ultimate sanction” follows on from a number of full or part day strikes, which have taken place this academic year and is designed to get the Employers around the table in serious negotiations long before the boycott takes place.

As Students Union President, I am writing to advise you that we have raised this issue with the University today, as we need assurances that our students’ academic experience will be protected and those students completing their studies this year and graduating in July will do so as planned.

We have requested that the University ensure that all Schools review the impact of the strikes that have taken place to date and put measures in place to ensure that all learning outcomes missed as a result of cancelled lectures are delivered. This will ensure that none of our students are disadvantaged as a result of the actions.

Our priority as a Students Union is to protect our students and we appeal to UCU and Cardiff Met to resolve this issue, and ensure that whatever the outcome of the talks measures are put in place to ensure that our students across all years and Schools are not unfairly disadvantaged and that their final year experience is protected. 

I will provide regular updates via the SU media channels and information will be made available to all School and Course Reps who should be your first contact point.

Please be reassured that we will do everything we can to keep you informed over the coming weeks / months.