Following the results of the UCU’s formal consultation with members on employers’ proposals, a majority of members voted to continue the dispute on pay and conditions. This means a Marking and Assessment Boycott (MAB) will commence on 20 April 2023.

There are extensive FAQs for the MAB available on the UCU website, along with further background and context to the #ucuRISING disputes.

On this page you will find answers to FAQs specific to participating in the MAB at the University of Edinburgh.

FAQs

General

• What is a Marking and Assessment Boycott?

A marking and assessment boycott is a form of ‘continuous’ industrial action short of a strike in which a staff member refuses to undertake any activity that falls under marking or assessment.

• What’s the difference between continuous and non-continuous action?

Our previous rounds of strike action were non-continuous, i.e. we always had work days in between strike days, where we were 100% back at work. That meant only actual strike days were deducted. Continuous action means there are no gaps, it’s one period of action. Therefore, pay for all days including weekends can be deducted.

• Can I stop participating in the MAB and then start again?

You could, but it would not be of any benefit. If you decided to rejoin, HR would consider you as continuously participating and pay deductions would be implemented from your original date of joining.

• I have nothing to boycott but I want to take part, too! What can I do?

Even if you have no marking or assessment responsibility, you can still be an active part of the boycott.

You can donate some of your salary to the Hardship Fund, let your boycotting colleagues know you support their efforts, and/or take an active role in helping to organise the MAB in your Subject Area or at Branch level. Talk to your Local Contact(s) about practical steps you can take to help co-ordinate or support the MAB locally. You can also get involved by joining the Branch Discord server (joining links are available in all General Meeting agendas, sent by the Branch Secretary).

Deductions (salaried staff)

• Will UoE withhold my pay?

Yes, if you are salaried and you take part, the university will withhold 50% of 1/365 of your annual pay for every day you take part in the MAB. Scroll down to the end of the FAQs to see the maths.

• Will deductions affect my visa?

Work visas are not affected, and you are legally protected when you take industrial action and thus fall under the income threshold. However, your dependants are not. You can find more information about MAB participation for migrant staff on the UCU website.

• Will UoE withhold my pay on weekends?

Yes. This is because the MAB has been called as ‘continuous’ action.

• Will I face deductions for any other ASOS (action short of a strike)?

No, we convinced UoE to not deduct any pay for ASOS (excl. MAB). So, all other forms of ASOS can still be taken without pay deductions.

• Will my pay be deducted if I am on leave during my MAB?

No. If you are on leave (annual, special, parental or sick leave - it does not make a difference), you will get your pay as if you weren’t on MAB for the days you are on leave. For most people that is 100% pay.

• How long will my pay be deducted for?

UoE will implement 50% pay deductions from the day you decide to begin participating in the MAB until the end of the mandated period of industrial action (September 2023).

Originally, UoE agreed to only implement deductions until the end of the exam period (04 July 2023), but in light of the challenges the MAB has brought to the University progressing students and credentialising its graduates, UoE management has escalated its response.

• What will happen to my pay if I join the MAB later than 20 April?

Your pay will be deducted starting from the day you join the MAB. Deductions will not be backdated to 20 April.

• Can I stop participating in the MAB to stop deductions?

Yes, you can end your MAB participation and deductions will only be applied for the period you joined the MAB.

• I’m part-time salaried/on a fractional contract, will I get 50% deductions for taking part?

Yes. You will get 50% of 1/365 of your annual salary deducted for every day you are in the MAB. That includes days you aren’t working. 
For example: Karen works as a teaching fellow Mondays only. She takes part in MAB. She will be deducted 50% of 1/365 of her annual pay for every day she is in the MAB, i.e. Mo, Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su. 

• I have more than one role at UoE, will I face deductions for all my roles? 

It depends. If you are on a boycott in all your roles, yes. Otherwise, no. 
Example A: Karen is a tutor at PPLS and a tutor at COL. She chooses to be in the MAB in both roles. She will get 50% of 1/365 of her annual pay deducted for every day she is in the MAB, for both roles.  

Example B: Karen is a tutor in PPLS and a tutor in COL. She chooses to only be in the MAB in COL but carry out her full duties at PPLS. She will be deducted 50% of 1/365 of her annual pay for the COL role and she will receive 100% of her pay for the PPLS role.  

Declaring your MAB Participation (salaried)

• When do I have to tell my line manager/HR that I’m taking part in the MAB?

There will be a form sent out, which you will be asked by UoE to complete within 5 working days of starting your MAB. Legally you are not required or advised to tell anyone you want to take part in the MAB until the day you are asked by your line manager to start marking and hence start your MAB.

If no one asks you directly whether you are participating in the MAB, the university does not require you to declare your participation until you start your MAB, then you have up to five working days to declare.

Once you declare, UoE will consider you a participant in the MAB until the the end of the mandated period of industrial action (September 2023), unless you formally stop participating. You do not need to declare a second time for separate assessments with different deadlines.

We encourage you to discuss School- or department-specific questions about declaration with your Local Contact.

• Usually I am only legally required to tell my line manager/HR I’m taking industrial action when the action has finished and I’m back at work, right?

In this case it’s different, as you are continuously at work doing other tasks. We advise strongly that you fill in the form as UoE asks, so that your deductions are spread over several months and do not come all at once after the MAB ends. 

• Can I send a postcard instead of using HR’s form? 

Legally you could. But please don’t! 

• it doesn’t help you because your deductions might hit all at once

• it doesn’t help UCU because the faster we see larger numbers boycotting the better for negotiations

• it doesn’t affect management, but may instead hinder ARPS staff members in sibling unions who have to manually add your data

Guaranteed Hours FAQs

• Will I face pay deductions if I am on a Guaranteed Hours contract?

They are technically not deductions as you are not salaried. GH staff cannot claim pay for work that has not been done, and so will not get paid for any hours that would have been spent on marking or assessment. You can apply to the Local Hardship Fund to cover your lost GH pay. The Fund prioritises GH staff and those experiencing financial hardship.

• If I am a PGR on a Guaranteed Hours contract, will MAB participation affect my student visa?

Student visas depend on your student status, so they are unaffected by MAB participation. 

• If I am on a Guaranteed Hours contract do I have to declare my participation in the MAB?

Yes. Once you are sent the UoE declaration form, you should declare within five working days of the day you would have started your marking.

• If I am on a Guaranteed Hours contract, does MAB participation put me at risk of not being offered work next academic year?

The MAB is part of UCU’s industrial action. Legally, employers are not allowed to victimise you (e.g. not give you work next year) due to taking part in lawful industrial action. If you are concerned that you are not being offered work because of your MAB participation, contact the Branch at ucu@ed.ac.uk.

Financial Hardship and the Local Fund

• What happens if I can no longer afford to participate in the MAB?

The Local Hardship Fund is available to support all UCU Edinburgh members during the MAB. You can apply to it here. For salaried staff who earn over £30,000, claims are capped at £25/day. If you earn below £30,000, claims are capped at £37.50/day. GH staff can claim for 100% of pay for boycotted marking.

• How fast does the Hardship Fund pay out?

Jo (Treasurer) and Claire (Secretary) are admining the fund daily, so usually within 3-5 days the money is released.  

• Is there enough in the Hardship Fund to cover the MAB?

It looks good. If we are ever not in a position to cover people anymore, we will warn you in time! If you are not taking action yourself, please donate! There is more information about donations and our MAB Solidarity Fundraiser here.

• How much should I donate to the Hardship Fund?

Please visit our MAB Solidarity Fundraiser page for more information on donating!

In addition to the MAB Solidarity Fundraiser, we have produced the tables below as indicative guides to the deductions members participating in the MAB will face, and calculations of daily pay for members still receiving 100% salary. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual member to decide what they can afford to give, particularly in the context of the ongoing cost of living crisis and the real-terms pay cut we are all battling in the current industrial dispute.

Thank you to our Local Contacts in the School of Mathematics for crunching the numbers!