UCU Hallam Branch- Strike Guidance – During the Strike

During Strike Action –

The strike dates are: 27-29 May; 1-5 June; 8-12 June; 15-19 June. 2026 –

Come join us on the picket line!

In preparation and during the strikes there are many different ways to get involved. If you are a member get involved with –

Picket Duty: Join us on one of the pickets.  Picketing will take place on strike days 9.00am – 11.00

City Campus, pickets will meet @ 9.00am outside Owen Building on Howard Square

You are welcome at any time between 9.00 am and 11.00 as are children, dogs, friends and family! Just come along when you can. You will be very welcome.

UCU  Hallam  will have placards, leaflets. but please bring your own too if you wish. Home-made placards are especially welcome.  Branch officers/ reps/experienced picketers  will be there.  There will be banners and leaflets to hand out.  Please come along and join us.  Any questions relating to picketing please contact ucu@shu.ac.uk

Recruit a Non-member:  Non-members can join at any time.

Distribute our local branch leaflet: You can download and help distribute our leaflet here.    Talk to colleagues, friends, family, students to talk about and explain the issue.

Show your support via Social Media – Please use your socials to post about our campaign using #SaveSheffieldHallam #StopTheCuts #UCU #UKHE #SheffieldHallamUniversity #Sheffield   

Follow UCU SHU on Bluesky, Instagram, and X,and like and share our posts.

27th May, 2026  ‘Kids Carnival’: it’s half-term, bring children for fun on the picket, there will games and snacks from 9.30am in Hallam Square. Please bring a snack to share and a soft toy.       This is the first day of strikes, please come down if you can with or without kids.  The weather is promising to be lovely.  We’ll have gazebo(s) for shade.

28th May, 2026: Picket City Campus 9-11 –pickets will meet @ 9.00am outside Owen Building on Howard Square

Fri 29th Picket Rest Day – to provide some much-needed rest and promote wellbeing.

Attend the Union Rally – Picket as usual and then attend the rally– We have the Sheffield Socialist Choir joining us to really help lift our spirits -Monday 1st June, 2026 11.00 – Hallam Square, City Campus 

There are many reasons why you should try to support the picket lines and spend as much time as you can during the stike action.

  • We need to make our problems and our demands visible and to demonstrate the strength of feeling by a show of unity in large numbers.  It’s important  students see how widespread current problems are but more importantly, they need to see their tutors, whose classes were cancelled, out on the picket line with everyone else.  We need to give them the chance to ask us questions about why we feel that we had no choice but to take the action we have and trust that this was not a decision taken lightly by anyone.
  • Going on strike can be a daunting prospect, especially if it’s for the first time.  It’s not going to be easy for anyone to lose pay and for many this will no doubt cause serious financial hardship.  It helps to be around others that understand exactly why we feel compelled to withdraw our labour even though we know this to the detriment of our current students and a risk to our personal financial security.  Knowing there are others fighting this alongside you can really made a difference. Just knowing you’re not on your own.  In times like these solidarity matters.
  • It’s also very heartwarming to know that we have the support of our students.  Many do take the time to stop and ask questions and offer their solidarity.  
  • Whilst going on strike is no laughing matter and certainly nothing to be flippant about, we want our pickets lines to be upbeat, respectful, friendly, courteous and good humoured.  Even if the weather is wet and cold, we will not let this dampen our spirits.  We will be encouraging musical instruments, singing, and generally making lots of noise so if you have a guitar, a whistle, a drum or a vuvuzela please do bring it along.  Dogs and children, big and small are also very welcome.   
  • You will have the rare opportunity to spend time with colleagues old and new as members come together from across the university.  These could be the start of some valuable and supportive new friendships!
  • And of course, there may be cake…wink

Remember, if you are planning to join come prepared.  Check the weather forcast.

If the weather looks bad -Wrap up warm, wear layers with an outer waterproof, stick an extra pair of warm socks in your pocket.  Bring a keep cup so you can get a warm drink.

If the weather looks good – Bring a sun hat, suncream!

If you struggle to stand for too long bring a folding chair.  If you need any support from us in order to attend then speak to a local rep.

For more information please see attached UCU picketing guidance here ucu_picketing-guidance1

Digital Picketing

If you’re not able to join us on the physical picket lines (e.g. if you don’t live locally, or if you work remotely), but still want to contribute to picketing, you can join our digital picket line.

This involves supporting the strike through online actions, such as:

  • Not undertaking any digital paid work (e.g. checking emails, organising calendars, any writing of papers, sharing work related content on social media (including LinkedIn) etc)
  • Follow, like and repost the official UCU Hallam social media accounts.
  • Change your profile picture on social media to the UCU logo.
  • Post on your own social media accounts about why you’re on strike, and what the dispute means to you. If you tag us on X or Bluesky we’ll repost it, but we encourage you to post on other platforms (eg X, Instagram, Facebook) if you use them.
  • Have conversations in your group chats on Whatsapp/Signal/Telegram/Messenger about the dispute with those who may not be aware of/taking part of the strike.
  • If you have a personal blog, write a longer piece outlining the strike and why you’ve decided to join.
  • Contact your local MP to explain why you are on strike and to ask them to support the dispute.
  • Do some remote organising in your local work area, eg:
    • Saving and sharing photos shared on social media;
    • Sharing news and updates from the branch/UCU national;

Please get in touch with us at ucu@shu.ac.uk if you have other ideas of activities for the digital picket.

They will start on Tuesday 2nd June and will run 10-11am online – joining details to be circulated via the WhatsApp channel. Drop-in and ask questions and keep in touch with the dispute.

The most important thing is not working during strike action, picketing, including digital picketing, is a bonus voluntary activity.