Durham academics currently taking part in a marking and assessment boycott fear the impact of industrial action on students is being "played down" by university authorities - and want local management to follow other universities in showing greater support their staff.
The Durham Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) branch is, along with others around the UK, in an industrial dispute with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) about a range of issues related to pay and working conditions. As part of this, union members are not marking work produced by students towards their final degrees.
The university has said it has "mitigations in place" and that students will be able to graduate - but senior union members want to see the university authorities make clearer statements in support of staff, and clarify the impact on students. In response, the university has said it "continue to encourage all parties involved in the national dispute to engage in constructive dialogue".
