universities
News and articles about work, policy and workers' and students' struggles in education around the world.
Greece heading towards general strike
Greek workers are set to go on general strike tomorrow (Wednesday 19th March) in protest of the government's planned pension reforms.
The government's reforms would mean the merging of pension funds and increasing the pension age for some workers. The government, however, has not made public any details on the size of savings that will accrue from the reforms. The trade unions have also argued that the current pension system could survive if bosses were made to pay their contributions.
1962-1973: Worker and student struggles in Italy
A history of the wave of strikes and occupations that gripped Italian factories and universities during the 1960s. Coming to a head with the Hot Autumn of 1969, independent forms of struggle used by workers represented a significant attempt to break from restrictive trade unions.
Rising from a period of centre-left coalition that had been marked by a constant failure to bring promised reforms to Italian society, the struggles of the 1960s acted as a pressure gauge for many sections of the Italian working class, one which was to reach its climax during the mass strikes of 1968-1970.
Sussex not for Sale rally, University of Sussex, 7th March 2008
Rally at the University of Sussex in support of the Sussex not for Sale campaign on March 7th 2008. Photos from here.
Mexico: violence at university workers strike in Mexico City
A tense strike and occupation at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM) in the southeast of Mexico City today enters its 31st day despite the picket line being attacked by hostile students.
Students have also interrupted negotiations between union leaders and the university authorities.
Canada: support workers strike at New Brunswick Community College
500 workers, including lab technicians and canteen, security and cleaning staff, are currently striking over pay.
The workers, members of local 1251 of the public service union have been striking since January 10th; pay negotiations broke down at the end of November and no new negiotiations were scheduled.
Canada: University teachers vote to strike
An overwhelming majority of teachers l'Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQRT) voted in favour of strike action in support of demands for increased staffing and wages.
Over half of UQTR's teachers participated in the vote, only 25% are needed for the vote to count as legitimate. With many teachers on sabbatical or working at other campuses the turnout was considered by the union to be ver encouraging.
France: Student day of action, early reports
.jpg "Nanterre University")
A national day of action, with demonstrations and continued action by student strikes was called for today.
Most demonstrations are to take place in the afternoon, with militants trying to convince as many students as possible during the morning to join demonstrations and mass actions.
France: Students demonstrate in Paris
Some 3000 school and university students marched through the streets of Paris today to show their continuing opposition to the LRU
The march began at the PRG campus (Paris VII) on the South side of the Seine, the march then made its way past the gare d'Austerlitz and finally ended at the place de la Bastille where Police blocked off the exits.
France: repression of the student movement intensifies
Student demonstrations and occupations are finding themselves the targets of violence organised or incited by the authorities.
In Grenoble today students of the IEPG (Institute of political studies) were setting up the blockade they had voted for. The director of the IEPG, Olivier Ihl, threatened to set dogs on them, although the dogs were reluctant.
Brief report on the assemblée générale of students at Nanterre university 27/11/07
.jpg "Assemblée générale of students at Nanterre university 27/11/07")
A brief account of the results of the meeting, attended by at least 1000 students.
The first motion was that strike committees and coordination with workers and other students were the favoured step and were necessary to win. It refused all attempts to negotiate before the law is withdrawn. and denounced the UNEF for trying to do so.
This was passed by such a massive majority that there was no count.
