University/higher ed strike on 7th of March
Feb 23 2006
This was mentioned on anorher thread already, but just in case there are people involved in this in one way or another, lets start a dedicated thread about it!
University lecturers and academic related staff from AUT and NAFTE unions are about to go on strike on 7th of March.
http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1527
Here are some background stuff on the press:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1714057,00.html
http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/news/story/0,,1713985,00.html
Some comms from solfeds Education Workers Network were thinking of producing some material for the strike to hand out. This is not ready yet, but would include much wider range of subjects than what the strike is about, inlcuding anarcho-syndicalist positions on things like having education workers split into 7 different unions etc.
I will keep this thread updated as new info comes through!
Admin - this thread has been locked to preserve it, archived. If you would like to add any information to it please contact us and we can unlock it for you. - Apr 2007
Feb 23 2006
#2
If you get some stuff done can you email it to prestonsolfed@boltblue.com and we'll print some off. I'm coming down to Manchester next monday for a DA meeting. A-M in Preston is on strike next week and then refusing to mark assigments. (Actually what happens is that lecturers mark the assignments but refuse to give the university the marks)
Some lawyer in Preston is going round advising students to sue lecturers for not marking their work. Twat!
Feb 23 2006
#3
Students need to strike too!
Scumbag lawyers (down here pronounced "liars") are no different than scabs...
Feb 23 2006
#4
well said. i'm striking and i'm a student.
fuck it i might start now 8)
Feb 23 2006
#5
Hmm i thought it was later than March. There was quite a good piece or 2 in London Student about it last week. Term will have finished for me by then anyway.
Feb 23 2006
#6
honestly, if any of you students could pop by the picket lines i'm sure the folks would appreciate it loads.
And if we get the leaflet done before that if you could give those out to students, strikers, other uni staff 8)
(need to get it done, printed and sent off though first)
Feb 24 2006
#7
hah, was supposed to be doing an introduction for a seminar that day. Wonder if I'll have to tell the tutor to go fuck himself...
Feb 24 2006
#8
A few of us from Edinburgh uni were talking about this in the pub tonight and will be at the picket lines and are trying to organise a rally of support. We're also going to be doing leafletting and postering to raise awareness among students about why there's a strike and why the students should fully support it etc...
Then again an offer might be made and there will be no industrial action.
Feb 24 2006
#9
Quote:
Some comms from solfeds Education Workers Network were thinking of producing some material for the strike to hand out.
I'd love some of those - I'll help out with them if you need it. I'm going to be picketing somewhere (not sure where yet, I work in two different universities) and I'm a bit uncomfortable with the 'boo-hoo we're not paid as much as doctors and lawyers' leaflets. The strike's about a lot more than that, and most of the yes vote (as far as I can see from talking to people I work with) was motivated by workloads and being generally pissed off at management, but if the public face of it is a bunch of relatively well paid people complaining about how badly paid they are then I can't see it going down all that well - especially with students living off about 5 grand a year.
Feb 25 2006
#10
Seen zero publicity about this around college.
Feb 25 2006
#11
Didn't they threaten to strike 2/3 years ago and then completely caved without a hint of a fight?
I didn't realise this was only for academics, that'll explain why I haven't head anything about it.
Feb 25 2006
#12
Jef Costello wrote:
Didn't they threaten to strike 2/3 years ago and then completely caved without a hint of a fight?I didn't realise this was only for academics, that'll explain why I haven't head anything about it.
it is all academic related staff which also contains people like me who are in the support staff (IT support) - though funny enough about half of the IT support is technical grade, which means they are Unison members and not taking part to the strike.
We had a two day strike two years ago, which at least in my neck of the woods was really well attended, so i dont think it is the same event you refer to, unless it flopped in your location?
Feb 25 2006
#13
I would come by but I'll be in Blackpool and I can't strike in solidarity because of the nature of my job. Well, I could, but I won't. But still, I'll be there in spirit. Refused Party Program spirit.
Feb 25 2006
#14
ticking_fool wrote:
I'd love some of those - I'll help out with them if you need it. I'm going to be picketing somewhere (not sure where yet, I work in two different universities) and I'm a bit uncomfortable with the 'boo-hoo we're not paid as much as doctors and lawyers' leaflets.
very true mate. Also, the leaflets that AUT usually produce only talk about academics and lecturers and support staff is left out.
Quote:
The strike's about a lot more than that, and most of the yes vote (as far as I can see from talking to people I work with) was motivated by workloads and being generally pissed off at management, but if the public face of it is a bunch of relatively well paid people complaining about how badly paid they are then I can't see it going down all that well - especially with students living off about 5 grand a year.
exactly, but to take all the issues concerning education these days would make the strike too political, which is why it would be great if we could get some material of our own out there.
Feb 25 2006
#15
IanB wrote:
A few of us from Edinburgh uni were talking about this in the pub tonight and will be at the picket lines and are trying to organise a rally of support. We're also going to be doing leafletting and postering to raise awareness among students about why there's a strike and why the students should fully support it etc...
this is exellent mate.
Sorry. - i think your school has always had a good turnout for this kind of things, so i think you'll be ok 
Come to the pickets & the rally mate!
refused - you scab 
Nah, this strike doesn't even cover all the uni staff - just those on academic related pay scale - actually not even all those, because some of them are in Amicus 
Its so stupid its unbelievable...
Alan, it has definitely been quiet, most of the staff dont know about the strike either!!!
Feb 25 2006
#16
I thought scabbing was doing the work of strikers.
If they can be arsed to do pickets at work then I might not cross them.
I'd like to see them striking in support of people on clerical grades like myself.
Feb 26 2006
#17
Jef Costello wrote:
I thought scabbing was doing the work of strikers.If they can be arsed to do pickets at work then I might not cross them.
I'd like to see them striking in support of people on clerical grades like myself.
Mate, but don't you see that as a self defeating cycle?
I mean, why the fuck are they going to strike for you, if you're not going to offer them solidarity. It has to start somewhere.
Feb 26 2006
#18
Jef Costello wrote:
Didn't they threaten to strike 2/3 years ago and then completely caved without a hint of a fight?I didn't realise this was only for academics, that'll explain why I haven't head anything about it.
AUT had a 2 day strike 18 months ago. UNISON and NATFE were cunts, and didn't support it. The result - AUT universities (basically old unis) got a much better deal, altho it kinda split the workforce. At my uni it was pretty solid tho, and UNISON members wouldn't cross picket lines.
I did a load of work on it on the 2 days, and the staff REALLY appreciated it. Even just going between the various picket lines, bringing coffee, food and encouragement was really well recieved (remember it's March and fucking cold!).
Other things we did were standing outside the main lecture building with a leaflet we'd made aimed at students, asking them not to attend scab lectures - and a large number of those who got one and we talked to agreed and didn't go. We also tried to get students to give scab lecturers shit - one of the best bits for me was when I thought some student had just ignored us, and was kinda pissed off - then 2 minutes later, we heard some shouting in the lecturer hall, and he came out with a bunch of other students in tow he'd dragged out.
People also put up 'lectures cancelled' signs all over outside classrooms and lecture halls, which a lot of people read and just left.
Then on the second day, we occupied the Vice Chancellors suite (the VC at our uni was head of the association of VC's, and had made a lot of anti-strike comments). Which was a load of balls, but actually quite good fun, 'cause it was a plush executive style boardroom.
Feb 26 2006
#19
ok
I won't cross a picket.
I'm also going to join the union, I'm just not sure at which workplace, or if I have to do it at both. It won't do much good but it should stop me getting sacked if I show solidarity.
Feb 26 2006
#20
Quote:
Alan, it has definitely been quiet, most of the staff dont know about the strike either!!!
Aw but they put it up on the website and everything...
Hopefully we'll be getting a piece in for the regional site a some point, tis also a good idea to send letters to mainstream papers this week as individuals involved in the strike attacking (edit: the university/college) and saying that there is gonna be a strike, cos it usually takes a couple days to go through the proper channels and get put in the event diaries for coverage (though obviously save your choicest quotes and most ineteresting info for any radical regional press that's about, give em a boost in the eyes of the public like )
Feb 26 2006
#21
Quote:
a large number of those who got one and we talked to agreed and didn't go
Students in not turning up for lectures shocker . Some of the lot at Suffolk college struck last year but there were a lot of scabs, we had someone down to cover it for easf who got told the student union was a pile of shite and refused to support them, which made quite a lot of difference in terms of impact.
Feb 26 2006
#22
Jef Costello wrote:
okI won't cross a picket.
I'm also going to join the union, I'm just not sure at which workplace,
If it's the same union (UNISON?) at both workplaces you'll only have to join it once, but make sure you set up a standing order instead of them both taking dues out of your wages.
Feb 26 2006
#23
Catch wrote:
Jef Costello wrote:
okI won't cross a picket.
I'm also going to join the union, I'm just not sure at which workplace,
If it's the same union (UNISON?) at both workplaces you'll only have to join it once, but make sure you set up a standing order instead of them both taking dues out of your wages.
I did that on principle, but now think it'd be best to have it taken from wages from a practical pov cos if my account's empty I'll get charged £30...
Feb 26 2006
#24
What even is the issue with this? Is it some anti social contract thing?
Surely if you can make your employer do the effort, you might as well? Especially as it avoids you forgetting to cancel it or owt 
Feb 26 2006
#25
Jack wrote:
AUT had a 2 day strike 18 months ago. UNISON and NATFE were cunts, and didn't support it. The result - AUT universities (basically old unis) got a much better deal, altho it kinda split the workforce. At my uni it was pretty solid tho, and UNISON members wouldn't cross picket lines.I did a load of work on it on the 2 days, and the staff REALLY appreciated it. Even just going between the various picket lines, bringing coffee, food and encouragement was really well recieved (remember it's March and fucking cold!).
Other things we did were standing outside the main lecture building with a leaflet we'd made aimed at students, asking them not to attend scab lectures - and a large number of those who got one and we talked to agreed and didn't go. We also tried to get students to give scab lecturers shit - one of the best bits for me was when I thought some student had just ignored us, and was kinda pissed off - then 2 minutes later, we heard some shouting in the lecturer hall, and he came out with a bunch of other students in tow he'd dragged out.
People also put up 'lectures cancelled' signs all over outside classrooms and lecture halls, which a lot of people read and just left.
Then on the second day, we occupied the Vice Chancellors suite (the VC at our uni was head of the association of VC's, and had made a lot of anti-strike comments). Which was a load of balls, but actually quite good fun, 'cause it was a plush executive style boardroom.
thats beautiful stuff man, i would have been exited through the roof had some students done that over here 
...instead we got SWP students selling us papers, and the front cover said "LECTURERS SHOW THEIR POWER", LOL!
Feb 26 2006
#26
JDMF wrote:
Sorry. - i think your school has always had a good turnout for this kind of things, so i think you'll be ok
Course, you can count on it!
(sorry, I didn't reply to your email btw, my hard drive got fried recently and I lost your address)
Feb 26 2006
#27
John. wrote:
I did that on principle, but now think it'd be best to have it taken from wages from a practical pov cos if my account's empty I'll get charged £30...
Call the bank and get them to refund the charge. You also get to talk to irish girls with lovely accents. Seriously though you can talk your way out of overdraft/late payment fees etc if you call them up. I do it every time.
I think Catch's point was more so that I only paid once rather than twice. Plus if they take it direct they'll get a cut of my overtime.
Feb 26 2006
#28
Jef Costello wrote:
I think Catch's point was more so that I only paid once rather than twice.
yep.
Feb 26 2006
#29
JDMF wrote:
...instead we got SWP students selling us papers, and the front cover said "LECTURERS SHOW THEIR POWER", LOL!
Hahaha, cantdo went mental when the SWP came along in the middle of the occupation.
Feb 26 2006
#30
Jack wrote:
JDMF wrote:
...instead we got SWP students selling us papers, and the front cover said "LECTURERS SHOW THEIR POWER", LOL!Hahaha, cantdo went mental when the SWP came along in the middle of the occupation.
OH man. I wish I could have been there.
Hmmm my bosses will both be out for that I guess, I'll be off work then so I'll miss it, which is annoying. Cos I guess I could've probably not crossed picket lines and still got paid. Still, I'll ask about it...