STRIKES: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Strike action in February: What you need to know as a student

Some University staff will be taking strike action in February. This page explains what that means for you, what to do if your studies are disrupted, and how to get support.

Quick clarity first: the Students’ Union is not on strike. We are separate from staff unions and our services stay open. We are here to support students throughout.

This page will be updated as new information is confirmed.

What’s happening and why?

Industrial action is taking place in response to decisions made by University management, including planned redundancies and the proposed closure of the Southend campus.

University staff and their trade unions have raised serious concerns about these proposals. They argue that the scale of the planned cuts could significantly affect the quality of teaching and research, reduce the support available to students, and have a lasting negative impact on the Southend community.

Academic staff, represented by the University and College Union (UCU), have voted to take strike action to oppose these plans. Other trade unions, including UNISON, which represents professional services staff, are also taking action to challenge the decisions, although this does not currently include strike action.

Industrial action can take different forms, and not all of them involve staff walking out of work. You can find explanations of common terms further down this page.

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STRIKE DATES INFORMATION THE SU'S POSITION WHAT IF I'M UNHAPPY WITH THE DISRUPTION I NEED HELP

What are the strike dates?

University and College Union has announced that members at the University of Essex plan to strike on:

Thursday 12 February to Thursday 19 February
This is 7 consecutive days of strike action

There will also be action short of a strike starting from 12 February, which can continue beyond these dates.

What you need to know

Yes, unless your department tells you otherwise.

Some teaching may still go ahead
Some classes may be cancelled at short notice
Check your email and Moodle before travelling
If you are unsure, contact your department

There will also be action short of a strike starting from 12 February, which can continue beyond these dates.

This can happen during strike action.

Check Moodle and your email for updates
Contact your department office if nothing is posted
Keep a record of missed teaching in case you need it later for claims or extenuating circumstances
Let the SU know using our strike impact form so we can track issues

Your department should put alternative arrangements or mitigation in place where possible.

If you are not getting the support you need:

Contact your department first
Then contact the SU Education team and we will follow it up with you

You may be able to submit Extenuating Circumstances if strike disruption affects your performance or preparation.

SU Advice can:

Help you decide if you are eligible
Help you write your statement
Check your evidence
Support you with the process

Find out more about Extenuating Circumstances here

Rules around student compensation are changing nationally and are still being clarified.

We’ll update this page as soon as the University has provided us with guidance.

International students can be more affected by disruption linked to attendance, visas, and sponsorship rules.

Key points:

Attendance monitoring is often adjusted during strike periods
Always keep records of cancelled classes
Do not assume rules are paused unless the University confirms this
Check official University updates carefully

If you are worried about:

Visa conditions
Attendance records
Academic progress requirements

Contact:

Your department
SU Advice for independent guidance

The SU's position

The Students’ Union’s approach to industrial action is guided by the Essex Students’ Union Industrial Action Policy, which was approved by SU Council on 3 February 2026 and sets out how the Union responds when industrial action by University staff affects students.

Under that policy, your Students’ Union:

Supports the right of University staff to take lawful strike action
Does not take strike action as an organisation
Keeps all SU services, buildings and venues open for students
Works with the University to reduce the impact of disruption on students
May withdraw formal support for industrial action if it significantly harms student marking and assessment outcomes
Always puts student academic experience and wellbeing first

As a general principle, the SU supports strike action taken by University staff. However, our primary responsibility is to students. The SU may withdraw formal support for specific forms of industrial action where the Student Leader team believes the action would be seriously detrimental to students, particularly where it affects:

Marking and assessment
Academic progression
The awarding of qualifications

For this reason:

The SU does not support marking or assessment boycotts, due to the significant and long-lasting impact these can have on students’ outcomes
In some cases, the SU may publicly support the aims of staff while disagreeing with the methods used

The SU’s position is set by SU Council. In line with the policy:

SU Council may review or make exceptions to this position in specific circumstances
If at least 15% of SU Council members request it, Council may vote to make an exceptional deviation from the policy
Council will consider any forms of industrial action not directly covered by the policy on a case-by-case basis

Throughout any period of industrial action, the SU’s responsibility is to ensure Essex students receive the best possible support and outcomes.

Support is a personal choice. If you want to show support, you can:

Be respectful of picket lines and protest activity
Avoid confrontations or arguments on picket lines
Share messages or campaigns from staff unions if you agree with them
Attend rallies or events that are open to students

You are not required to take part and your academic priorities come first.

Picket lines are usually:

Peaceful
Outside main campus entrances
Made up of striking staff and union representatives
Focused on raising awareness

You are allowed to cross a picket line to attend your classes or work. No one should block your access.

What your Student Leader team does

During periods of industrial action, your Student Leader team is responsible for making sure students are supported, informed, and represented.

This includes:

Ensuring appropriate support is in place for students affected by disruption
Communicating clearly and promptly about what industrial action is taking place and what it means for students
Working with Student Community Officers to identify and reduce risks to particular student groups
Providing guidance on complaints and compensation, including how students can raise concerns
Actively gathering student feedback about the impact of industrial action
Representing student views to the University, ensuring student experiences are clearly heard
Continuing to press the University to minimise disruption, wherever possible, and protect students’ academic outcomes and wellbeing

This work sits alongside the SU’s wider responsibility to put students first and to support Essex students through periods of uncertainty and disruption.

What if I am unhappy about the strike disruption?

If you are concerned about the impact industrial action is having on your education, you have options.

You will first need to use the University’s internal complaints procedure.
This gives the University the opportunity to address the issue and put measures in place to reduce or resolve the disruption you are experiencing.
If you are not comfortable submitting a complaint yourself, but still want to share your experiences and concerns, you can contact the Students’ Union Education Team, who can raise issues on your behalf.

The University has a responsibility to minimise disruption to your learning and ensure you receive the education you are paying for. This includes having appropriate contingency plans in place during periods of industrial action, such as:

Repeating missed teaching
Adjusting assessments
Removing untaught content from exams or coursework

Where these measures are not effective, universities may be expected to provide financial compensation.

According to national guidance, compensation should be considered particularly where there has been:

Missed teaching that has not been repeated or replaced in a timely way
Significant delays or absence of assessment marking or feedback
Delays to progression decisions or the awarding of qualifications

This is especially important where delays affect:

Job offers
Further study
Visa applications or visa status

If you feel your concerns have not been adequately addressed through the University’s complaints process, you can make a formal complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA).
The OIA may work with the University to secure additional support or recommend financial compensation.
Complaints to the OIA must usually be made within 12 months of receiving the University’s final response and will require clear evidence of how industrial action affected your education (such as records of missed teaching or delayed assessments).

SU Advice can support you in the process of making a complaint to the University or the OIA.

Need help now?

If strike action is affecting your studies or wellbeing:

Contact your department
Contact SU Education support
Contact SU Advice for academic and procedural help

You are not on your own. We are here to support you and keep pushing for fair outcomes for Essex students.

Strike Glossary:

Refers to a range of activities that are carried out by employees, usually organised through trade unions, to dispute working conditions, pay, contracts, or decisions taken by their employer.

A full refusal to work and complete any contracted duties.

Action short of strike: refers to other actions staff may take that do not include walking out of the workplace, such as not covering for colleagues, not completing any voluntary duties or activities not explicitly covered in their contracts, or carrying out a marking and assessment boycott.

A form of ASOS which includes pausing all activities related to assessments, including setting exams, marking coursework, projects or presentations, invigilating and processing results.

A physical boundary set by striking workers, usually at the entrance to their place of work, where peaceful protest is often carried out. They often encourage other workers not to ‘cross the picket line’ and to join them in their strike, to increase the impact of industrial action.

Office for Students: the independent regulator of higher education institutions in England, which protects the interests of students and ensures the University is meeting its obligations.

Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education: an independent body set up to review complaints about Universities and other higher education providers in England and Wales.

A trade union is an organisation made up of workers, usually from the same industry or profession, that exists to protect members’ rights and interests. Trade unions represent workers in discussions with employers, advocate for fair pay and safer working conditions, and work to improve job security, equality, and workplace wellbeing.

University and Colleges Union: the largest trade union for academic and research staff in post-secondary education.

A vote called by a trade union to gain approval from its members to carry out industrial action, including strikes. A ballot with majority approval is legally required before unions can carry out industrial action.