Why are we striking?

We recently surveyed our members as to why they have committed to strike action this November. Here is what they have to say:

I’m only asking for fair pay, fair contracts, and a fair pension… sounds fair enough…

 

I am striking to protect me, my colleagues and my students, and our futures.

I am fighting to protect Higher Education for future generations.

 

I need job security and a pay rise!

 

I am striking to prevent the real-terms pay cut we’ve been given, and to save our pensions after they were – as it turns out, unnecessarily – devalued, by an average of 30%.

 

I am striking to fight for a fair future for all working in Higher Education.

I don’t believe I have a choice – my individual attempts to improve my working conditions (pay and job security) have failed, so I have no option but to act collectively and go on strike.

 

The UK HE sector is awash with money from students, government and commerce – yet the people who produce this revenue see very little of it!!

 

I am striking to support the rights of University staff.

 

The statistics that 46% of those who teach in universities are employed on zero-hours contracts and that 63% of research staff are on precarious fixed-term contracts are appalling, even without the spiralling cost of living and a lousy 3% pay raise offer, along with the fact that a third of our pensions have been taken away on spurious grounds. We have to fight back against the uberisation of UK universities.

I am supporting industrial action because I do not wish to be complicit in the erosion of our rights and the theft of our income and pensions.

 

To make a fair change for all.

 

The system is corrupt, workers from every sector must unite to demand change.

 

They say cut back – we say fight back! I’m sick of being treated like crap. This is a chance to resist!

I am striking for the future of PGRs & all staff.

 

To combat working conditions that are as of this moment untenable, and to stand in solidarity with my colleagues across higher education.

 

I am furious at the dishonest way pension benefits have been cut and the increasing casualisation of University work.

 

I believe our pensions and salaries should be guarded.

I want to support the Union in defending the rights of workers in Higher Education.

 

No one wants to strike. We’ve all got bills to pay in increasingly difficult economic circumstances. But, I am joining this strike action because we have to stand together – against falling wages, against pension theft, against precarity and inequality.

 

Because enough is enough.

 

Statement of support for RMT

We wish RMT members on Merseyside and all the other regions taking strike action on 21, 23 and 25 June success in their justified industrial action campaign over pay, working conditions and job security. When our UCU branch fought to defend jobs in 2021 we had fantastic solidarity from the wider trade union movement, and we understand the importance of trade unions supporting each other in their different fights. We are also totally opposed to any attempt by the Tory government to restrict the right to strike with minimum service requirements, and see this as an attack on all unions. We will support your picket lines and RMT speakers will be very welcome at our members meetings. Solidarity to the RMT!

Peta Bulmer, President, University of Liverpool UCU, and Branch Committee

Recent coverage of the Pay Disupte in the Liverpool Echo

Please see the following recent Liverpool Echo articles on the Pay Disupte:

Mayor Anderson wades into pay row at University of Liverpool

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/mayor-anderson-wades-pay-row-6177552

Staff at Merseyside universities go on strike in on-going row over pay

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/classes-cancelled-merseyside-universities-academic-6259769

Universities described as ‘ghost ships’ as staff walk out over pay row

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-universities-described-ghost-ships-6261647

Joint-Union Strike Announced for 31st Oct

It has been announced that national UCU HE officers have agreed to call a day of joint strike action with Unison and Unite on Thursday 31st October. This will be the first all-union action on HE pay since 1996. UCU members will also be asked to work-to-contract with effect from Friday 1st November.

Further information is available in this branch circular and press release.

Strike 31/10/13 Poster materials

Stike 31/10/13 Poster materials

Please display the posters and distribute all the leaflets you receive – to members, non-members, members of other unions, members of none – as far throughout your building as they will go. We can supply more materials and will be organising door-knocking – please contact Pam at lucu@liv.ac.uk to request more leaflets, to volunteer to cover a building other than your own etc.

Unions promise to bring universities to “standstill” over pay (Times Higher article)

Universities have dismissed union claims that next week’s one-day strike will bring them to a “standstill”, saying that they expect a “low-level impact on students”.

Members of higher education’s three largest trade unions – the University and College Union, Unison and Unite – will take part in a national walkout on 31 October over employers’ “measly” 1 per cent pay offer.

This will represent the first time that the three unions have taken strike action together and will also be the first countrywide walkout over pay in the academy since March 2006, when lecturers also began an assessment boycott.

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