[visiongallery set=72157638317136356]
Photos: Jack Western
University staff have staged a second walkout in less than three months in a row over pay.
Academics, tutors and lecturers joined forces with York St John University and York College to protest against the one per cent pay rise being offered by the Government.
Unions claim that the pay rise actually means a pay cut in real terms.
According to those staging the strike – from Unison, Unite, the EIS and the University and College Union (UCU) – thousands of staff from universities across the UK have joined the picket lines.
But it is unknown how many lectures and tutorials at the University have been cancelled or disrupted as a result of the action.
Officials have insisted that libraries and IT facilities across campus will remain open.
A rally staged in protest marched through York city centre at midday today.
Graham Martin, of the York People’s Assembly, insisted the strike action was necessary to secure “good quality education” for society. He said: “I think the importance of today is much wider than the strike action.
“We need good quality education for our society to have a future that includes well-paid staff, which includes equal access regardless of people’s wealth and it’s something that all of our society relies on even if it’s a case of going to the doctors, you’re relying on universities to train doctors well and the examples are endless.
“So it’s really about the whole community and how much we all rely on education and coming together to make sure there is a positive future for it.”
Academic Registrar David Duncan told Vision in November that he expected fewer staff to back this strike than those who supported the first one in October.
“We would like both sides to return to the negotiating table and try to reach an agreement. We will try to do our best to mitigate the effects of the action on students,” he said.
It is believed that around 5 per cent of staff at the University participated in the first walkout on 31st October.
‘It is believed that around 5 per cent of staff at the University participated in the first walkout on 31st October.’
This figure (tellingly quoted in the passive voice – ‘it is believed’) comes from the University and College Employers’ Association. It bears no relation to fact and has been trotted out repeatedly to undermine the (popular) strike action. Far more than 5% came out. Don’t quote management statistics without a disclaimer, or at least without saying who is actually saying it! Bad journalistic practice, Vision.
“Far more than 5% came out.” [citation needed]
Hi JM, how many members of staff did strike, then?