Industrial action

Strike action

Members of UCU at Goldsmiths are due to take strike action in June, having started action short of a strike (ASOS) in April with the mandate for both lasting six months.  

 Proposed dates for strike action to take place are:  

• Monday 17 June to Friday 21 June – five days  
• Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June – five days  

During this time the following guidance is in place: 

• The Goldsmiths campus, including facilities such as the Library, will remain open on strike days
• Students should come to campus for any timetabled learning activity unless informed of a cancellation. Academics have been asked to post on the VLE if an activity is not going ahead as planned
• Cancellations of any scheduled learning activities due to strike action will not affect student visas

Action short of a strike 

Members of the University and College Union at Goldsmiths have voted in favour of taking strike action and action short of a strike in academic year 2023-24, as part of a local dispute over the College's Transformation Programme. 

The union has informed the College it will take action short of a strike (ASOS) from 19 April 2024, with the mandate for this action lasting six months. 

ASOS is a form of industrial action which can be used to impact core duties of the College and which stops short of a full withdrawal of duties as with strike action. 

This round of ASOS consists of UCU members at Goldsmiths:  

• Undertaking a Marking and Assessment Boycott 
• Working to contract 
• Not covering for absent colleagues or vacant posts 
• Not rescheduling lectures or classes cancelled due to strike action 
• Not undertaking any voluntary activities 
• Boycotting all processes relating to the implementation of workstreams 1-4 of the Transformation Programme

What this means for students

The College is very sorry that UCU members at Goldsmiths are taking industrial action and we have asked colleagues to seriously consider the impact any action may have on students at such an important time. 

Students should work to all existing deadlines and submit work as planned, as the College considers what mitigations and support we can put in place help to support you during Summer term. This information will be shared as soon as possible via email and on this page.