What is a MAB?
MAB stands for Marking and Assessment Boycott. When we take part in a MAB, we refuse to undertake any activities linked to assessment. This includes marking, but also administering assessments, invigilating exams, designing assessments, liaising with external examiners and attending exam boards.
Are we doing a MAB in UCU?
Yes! UCU has notified employers of a marking and assessment boycott taking place from 20th April. This is because we are still hoping for a better offer on pay and conditions from employers than their latest offer.
What’s the difference between a MAB and a strike?
During a strike, you don’t do any work at all – you don’t go to work or log on to your work from home. During a MAB, you do the rest of your work as normal – as explained below, you may in fact do all of your work as normal!
Will I lose pay for taking part in the MAB?
Unlike striking, a MAB does not automatically mean a full loss of pay. However, many employers do reserve the right to deduct pay from those participating in a MAB – and many of those will deduct 100% of pay (this happened at QMUL in 2022). We are preparing to mitigate this by taking a strategic approach that involves:
- Members who would have the most effect by taking part, taking part in the MAB;
- Other members supporting them by offering to donate part of their wages.
This means that rather than all taking part, and all risking the loss of pay, we ask a significant minority of members to take part – and the rest to organise ready to help compensate them if they do lose pay.
What does this mean for me?
A lot of this depends on what you do. The strategic approach described above means that only a minority of members will actually take part (MABers) – they are the ones who will stop marking and participating in assessment. However, just as important as MABers, are members who volunteer to keep working normally but to reserve part of their wages to help MABers who face 100% pay docking. More details of this will be circulated to members.
If I’m a supporter, won’t I be asked to take on the MABers’ marking?
You might be – but according to the national ballot we just won we are undertaking Action Short of a Strike that includes ‘not covering for absent colleagues’ – so you should be able to say no.
What advice is there for migrant workers?
Please check UCU’s central advice for migrant members taking industrial action – this is where the most up-to-date information will be published so it’s important to keep up with it.
What should I do now?
Contact your department rep or volunteer to be one! Answer any surveys we’ve sent you. If you liaise with your external examiner, we have some guidance for you. Email the branch to get a suggested template email and guidance.
Should I resign as an external examiner?
National guidance is that external examining is not part of the MAB – but if you are examining at a university where management have imposed 100% deductions, the branch may wish you to resign in solidarity – contact that university’s UCU branch secretary if you are not sure what to do. If you are an external examiner for a Greenwich programme, email the branch.
What should I tell my students?
Please click here for a link to student communication materials (Google Drive). Please also come to our daily MAB meetings (link in your email and WhatsApp) for solidarity and advice on how to keep communications open with students and reassure them that they still have your support in their learning. If you are a student, here are some FAQs for students on the MAB.