universities
News and articles about work, policy and workers' and students' struggles in education around the world.
France: some updates on student strikes
Updates and reports from AG, blockades and strikes across France.
This update is not comprehensive but it has most of the available information, additionally some universities are still on holiday and therefore no action can take place.
Aix-en-Provence, the AG at the litterature campus, held yesterday, voted to continue the strike and the blockade until the next AG on Tuesday (465 for, 250 against) (09/11/07)
Nanterre strike leaflet
A translation of a leaflet distributed by students involved in the strike action and blockades.
side 1
NANTERRE VOTES TO STRIKE
The General Assembly (AG) at Nanterre on Thursday 8th of November broguht together over 1000 students, teachers and staff of the university. More and more universities are joining the strike.
A large majority at the AG voted for the repeal of the law on autonomy for universities and for the blockade of the university until Monday.
France: report from Nanterre University
.jpg "D building 09/11/07")
A brief report on the occupation at Nanterre university.
Yesterday a general assembly (Assemblée générale, or AG) was held at Nanterre, at the beginning around 1200 students were present, numbers dropped as the meeting took two hours but the final vote was over 600 in favour, 199 against and around 100 abstentions. Students voted to begin a strike and a blockade and also to occupy the buildings.
Canada: Anthropology students end strike
The strike began after the Charest government announced an increase in tuition fees.
The strike was voted on by the student groups involved in ASSÉ (Student Solidarity union association) in protest at the planned increases which would amount to 30% over five years.
Student strikes begin in France
Students across France are voting to strike to protect their right to an education and to demand improvements.
In the last two weeks 48 general assemblies have been held in French universities, 33 of which had more than 100 students and 7 more than 500. The main focus of the students' anger is the Pécresse law (on 'autonomy') which is seen as the first step towards privatisation of universities.*
General meeting at Nanterre
This is a translation of a flyer produced by Nanterre students.
Resist, go to the AG!
The mobilisation has begun.
Mexico: Workers at the country's biggest university to vote on pay cut
Workers at UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) in Mexico City will vote on whether to strike or accept an offer of a 4.25% pay rise which even the under-fire union leader admits will amount to a sharp pay cut in relation to inflation.
The workers' union STUNAM (Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México) had hoped for a 15% increase, in line with recent steep rises in the cost of living, especially with regard to food and gas.
Assemblée générale at Nanterre
This is a translation of a report of the Assemblée générale held at Nanterre, issued by the student group AGEN (general association of students of Nanterre)
The General Assembly held on Tuesday 16th of October at Nanterre, attended by over 300 students, teachers and administrative staff, came out in favour of the withdrawal of the loi Pécresse. [This new law gives 'autonomy' to universities in terms of budgets and is supposed to create a university system better to suited to the job market]
We have adopted the following platform:
Mali: Strike by university workers
Workers at the National centre for university works (CENOU) went on strike today after management "completely ignored" their demands.
Workers launched a 72 hour stoppage on Tuesday morning, this strike follows a 48 hour stoppage two weeks ago which failed to bring management to the negotiation table. The CENOU is responsible for University transport, lodgings, food, bursaries and sanitation.
Colombia: hunger strike at Cuaca University
A group of sixteen students have launched a hunger strike at Cuaca University in Popayan (Southern Colombia).
Student protests against privatisation and for freedom of speech began several months ago, culminating in the occupation of the historical centre in San Domingo. On May 31st Colombian Police special forces (ESMAD) broke the occupation with the help of a tank. In the process causing damage to the centre, recognised as a world heritage site.
