Many thanks to all those that took part on Tuesday 3rd December. We had more places picketed, more pickets and even more impact than last time. So well done to everyone, who picketed, leafleted or just stayed at home.
The Exeter Socialist Students and Exeter Labour Party students unknown to us staged an occupation of part of Queens Building during the early evening of the 2nd December. They stayed all night and occupied the building up until midday when our picket lines finished. So we now have students actively supporting our Fair Pay in HE campaign. Other Universities also had Student Occupations of buildings in support of Fair Pay for staff. In one they staged an occupation of the Finance Directors Office and in another they occupied the senate building.
Many Trade Union branches have reported that the strike was bigger this time and that its impact was far greater. I’m not at the University today, but will be sending out some pictures of the Exeter picket lines tomorrow, with a reminder about how to claim strike pay.
Below is a piece taken from the Unite website and if you haven’t signed the online petition yet, please do if you can:-
H.E. – strike for fair pay
On Tuesday 3 December Unite, UCU, UNISON and EIS members working in higher education were striking for fair pay for the second time in two months. Why? Because five years of poverty pay rises and a 13% pay cut is simply unsustainable.
Big thanks and congratulations to everyone who took a stand for fair pay at universities across the UK. The support was tremendous.
150 locations – thousands of workers standing up for fair pay.
The fight for fair pay is not over – check back for updates
See the the action on Twitter #fairpayinHE
Strike action is never taken lightly, but despite months of talks, negotiations and campaigning the UCEA has refused to budge on fair pay.
The action followed an industrial ballot over the employer’s refusal to improve the one per cent pay offer for 2014.
For the past five years workers in the country’s top higher education institutions have suffered a sustained attack on their pay. Since 2008, below inflation pay rises have led to staff suffering a 13 per cent pay cut in real terms, while the cost of living continues to soar.
Last year’s one per cent pay offer cost our members dear; 97 per cent of manual staff and 90 per cent of clerical staff ‘lost’ £311, while 72 per cent of managerial, professional and technical staff ‘lost’ £417.
Show your support – sign the petition for fair pay in higher education now.