More than 70,000 staff at 150 universities across the UK are striking over a three day period after ‘attacks’ on pay, working conditions, and pensions.
The strike, which is the biggest in the history of higher education, kickstarted in Manchester today on Oxford Rd. It comes after University and College Union (UCU) members voted for industrial action last month.
A performing arts lecturer, at Manchester Metropolitan University, Alice Brockway said: “We have a series of demands around fair pay, action and equality for the pay gap, elimination of casualisation and action on work loads.
“For any students that aren’t familiar with the problems, because of the way people are employed and because of the sheer amount of work tutors are being asked to do, we do not feel we are doing the best for you, we don’t feel that its in any way acceptable.”
Staff will be picketing the entrances at universities across the UK on each day of the action. The full strike dates are:
- Thursday 24 November
- Friday 25 November
- Wednesday 30 November
The performing arts tutor added: “I would say to to anyone listening and isn’t familiar with what’s going on, come and talk to us here at the picket line, we are thrilled to talk to you and very happy to chat”.
The union’s demands include a meaningful pay rise to deal with the cost-of-living crisis as well as action to end the use of insecure contracts and deal with dangerously high workloads.
The UK university sector generated record income of £41.1bn last year with 150 vice-chancellors collectively earning an estimated £45 million. UCU said the sector can more than afford to meet staff demands.
The National Union of Students Vice President Higher Education Chloe Field said: “Students stand in solidarity with university staff going on strike. We have always been clear that staff working conditions are students’ learning conditions, and for more than a decade both have come under attack from a sector that puts profits above education.
“Staff work hard to deliver a world-class experience for students, but more and more are struggling under the pressures of increased workloads, falling pay, cuts to their pensions and insecure work. Universities and employers should agree to UCU’s demands.
“We exist in the same system and our struggles are inextricably linked. Only by coming together and showing solidarity with each other can we achieve the real and lasting change we want for everyone who works and studies in this country.”
