Welcome to The Open University Branch of the University and College Union's website (OUBUCU)

November 2022 and Spring 2023 strike action

Following the amazing 84% YES vote in the recent ballot, the UCU has announced the biggest strike action in our union’s history, which started on Thursday 24th, Friday 25th and Wednesday 30th November, and continues on the following dates:

• 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

All the information you need about the strike, about pickets, rallies and events, and about the Action Short of Strike which started in November, is on our campaigns page. The UCU national website is the place for detailed information about why we’re taking strike action.

If you're a student, you can find more information about why we're striking, how it might affect you, and what you can do to get involved at our information for students page.

If you’re not yet a member, it’s never too late. Join us here!  Finally, if you use Twitter, be sure to follow us @oubucu and national UCU @ucu. 

Our current campaigns

We have campaigns on both the USS Pension scheme and the Four Fights: pay, casualisation, workload and equality - these campaigns have been merged into the WE ARE RISING strap line. 

You may find the following pages helpful:

• Information for students about the industrial action, why we're taking it, how it might affect you, and how you can take part
• Information for Associate Lecturers
• A pickets, rallies and events page with dates and more about how to get involved
• Information about applying or donating to the Hardship Fund and an application form
• Guidance on Action short of a strike (ASOS)
• Templates you can use for emails to students, and out-of-office messages
• Frequently asked questions

About the branch

If you are employed in an academic (including Associate Lecturer), Academic-Related, Research or Research Student role by The Open University, UCU is the Union for YOU.

If you have a problem at work then we have trained caseworkers who can support you - view our "get help" page. 

Nationally, the University and College Union (UCU) represents over 110,000 academics, lecturers, trainers, instructors, researchers, managers, administrators, computer staff, librarians and postgraduates in universities, colleges, prisons, adult education and training organisations across the UK.

If you want to join UCU, there's information on our Membership page or go to the UCU website. 

View the Open University's accessibility statement.