Tutor strikes threaten Mods
A strike by tutors could affect exams and results for hundreds of students
Hundreds of students could find their exams and results disrupted if planned strike action by the Association of University Teachers (AUT) goes ahead in two weeks’ time. It was announced last Monday that unless disputes over pay are resolved, a strike will take place on Tuesday 7th March, with a boycott of all assessment and examination activity continuing from 8th March onwards.
With 860 AUT members across the university, this action could have serious implications for first year Lawyers and Psychologists and second year Classicists, all of whom will sit Moderations in eighth and ninth weeks of this term.
The Honorary Secretary of the AUT in Oxford, Terry Hoad, told The Oxford Student, “If there isn’t a resolution to our demands then I’m afraid it will affect anyone with exams at the end of this term, and the increasing number of papers being taken as coursework will also inevitably be affected.” The extent of the potential impact on students due to sit exams later this term is as yet unclear.
Although tutors will be able to continue their college tutorial work on the day of the strike, the subsequent boycott of examination work could be more serious. Hoad said, “It depends largely upon how many people take part, and how many of those are on the Board of Examiners. We are asking members involved in the action not to do any work until the dispute is resolved, which will inevitably mean that some marking does not get done.
Whether enough people to function will continue to work is impossible for me to say. “Some impact on students is unavoidable, but it is not our goal. Most AUT members will feel regretful at having to do things which may have an unfortunate effect on students. “However, we must consider the question of the long term future of the university and future generations of students rather than the short term impact on a handful of them.
If this salary dispute is not sorted out, it will lead to a decline in recruitment. “I would urge concerned students to write to the university asking them to use their influence to end the dispute.” However, students most likely to be affected have expressed their anger at the action. A second year Classicist at Brasenose, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “None of us are exactly sure what this will mean for us.
“It is very disappointing that after all the hard work we’ve put in for these exams, we will probably have to wait even longer for our results. We’re all feeling very frustrated about it.” Cal Flyn, a first year Psychologist at Lady Margaret Hall, agreed. “It is very inconsiderate timing. I appreciate their right to strike but surely they should realise that none of this is our fault and that these exams are very important to us.
It’s really unfair that we’re being put at a disadvantage because of the timing of our exams, which is also entirely out of our control.” However a spokesperson for the university was keen to reassure students that every possible step will be taken to avoid disruption to students. “The Proctors and EPSC will do the best they possibly can to keep the examination process running without compromising the fairness and rigour of exams.
They are currently looking urgently at the details of contingency plans, using plans already drawn up when similar situations have been on the horizon in the past.” The pay dispute arose last year after union members asked employers to honour a commitment they understood had been made at the time of top-up fees negotiations, in which they were promised one third of the money gained from to increases to improve salaries.
Hoad said, “We asked them in October to reaffirm this commitment, but they were unwilling and said they had never made it. They said it was articulated on their behalf by the then minister of higher education, who has since said that he had understood that was what they meant.
The AUT has since proposed a three-year plan, involving an increase of eight per cent in the first year, and six per cent in each of the following two years, but so far universities have refused to accept this package. Last time the teaching unions went on strike the National Union of Students supported them in their action, and OUSU President Emma Norris, confirmed they will do the same time time.
She said, “It is in the best interests of students and staff to avoid action during the exam period if possible. However, the action will hopefully ensure tutors receive a fairer deal in terms of working conditions, meaning that the best potential tutors are attracted to the jobs. This will be of great benefit to students in the long term.”
23rd Feb 2006