University & College Union Strike Action

Thursday 31 October 2013

Pickets had been out across Nottingham and Trent Universities from 7.00am onwards.

Having cycled around various Trent locations, I have to say that students and staff largely ignored the call and so much of the university appeared to me to operating normally.

A regional organiser also said that the initial enthusiasm offered by the Trent University National Union of Students had cooled in the days leading up to the action today. He said a staff student coalition for action, might have to build directly and aside from a disinterested union.

At 1.00pm staff and supporters then gathered in the Market Square to listen to speeches and handing out leaflets.

 

PRESS RELEASE

The strike has been called by UCU, Unite and Unison - the three largest unions in the sector - because the employers will not sit down and negotiate with us.  Instead they say that after four years of below inflation increases, it is now 'not fair' to students if we finally take action. 

What I think is 'not fair' is that:

our employers had a combined surplus last year of more than £1.1bn, according to HESA, yet were prepared to offer a pay rise which covered barely one-third of the increased cost of living.

our employers are sitting on billions of pounds of reserves, around £10bn (even after pension liabilities) according to HESA, yet say they cannot afford to help staff whose pay has fallen in real terms by 13% since 2009.

our employers expenditure on staff has stalled, yet salaries for those at the very top have grown to a point where, as The Independent newspaper describes, 'performance seems to have no influence on vice-chancellors' bonuses and benefits.'

These facts and the employers' intransigence are why the National Union of Students (NUS) have called for further, urgent negotiations between both sides with the aim of agreeing 'a fair and sustainable settlement for higher education staff'. UCU and our sister unions have agreed to this sensible suggestion, but the employers have not. 

In these circumstances, where the employers simply will not negotiate, we have a choice to either put up or shut up.  Industrial action for educators should never be anything but a last resort.  The work you do is too important.

That is why UCU will continue to work for a solution to this dispute, but if we are to make the employers shift their position we need every member to take strike action on 31 October and every member to support the Action Short of a Strike which begins on 1 November.

Yours

Sally Hunt

UCU General Secretary

 

>>>>

 

UCU head of higher education, Michael MacNeil, said: 'There is widespread anger over the pay cuts staff have had to endure in recent years and all the reports we are getting is that Thursday's strike will be very well supported. We are amazed the employers are still refusing to sit down with us to try and resolve this without any need for disruption. There are precious few hours left now, but our offer of talks remains open.'

UNISON, head of higher education, Jon Richards, said: 'We cannot understand the cavalier attitude of the University employers.  They are sitting on record surpluses, splashing out on senior management pay but refusing to give a decent wage to the staff who have made UK universities some of the best in the world. The employers still have a chance to avert this strike and we ask them to reconsider and make a decent offer to avoid disruption to students.'

Unite national officer for education, Mike McCartney said: 'Our members are taking this action with a heavy heart, but they have had to endure a five-year pay drought. Their contribution should be recognised with a substantial pay rise as household bills, such as energy, are going through the roof. We hope that the strike will focus employers' minds and they realise their staff are their most important asset and reward them accordingly.

University & College Union

http://www.ucu.org.uk

 

Earlier actions:

Fire Brigades Union FBU Strike 

http://nottingham.tachanka.org/articles/6067

 

NUT Teachers Regional Strike Action

http://nottingham.tachanka.org/articles/6096

 

Anyone know why this is happening .... one at a time?  Thus bearly getting their issues noted?  Just asking!

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ALAN LODGE 

Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham.  UK

Email:                 tash@indymedia.org

Web:                   http://digitaljournalist.eu

Member of the National Union of Journalists [NUJ]

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"It is not enough to curse the darkness.

                                   It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"

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Contact email: tash@indymedia.org