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

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. 

From 20th April 2023, action short of a strike (ASOS) in the form of a marking and assessment boycott has commenced. This means you should refuse to carry out any duties relating to marking and assessment. 

Guidance on the marking and assessment boycott, including branch marking and assessment boycott FAQs, can be found on the Marking and assessment boycott page. 

You may find the following pages helpful:

• UCU Marking and assessment boycott FAQs (national)
• Campaigns page with information about the strike days in February and March 2023 plus the Marking and assessment boycott
• Information for students about the industrial action
• 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
• Leaflets that we created to give out on the picket lines
• 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.