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

Our current campaigns

We have a campaign on the Four Fights dispute: pay, casualisation, workload and equality, with the UCU rising strapline. 

STOP PRESS - the 5 days of industrial action are going ahead in our branch, Monday 25th to Friday 29th September 2023, see news item. 

You may find the following pages helpful:

• Campaigns page 
• 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 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.