Huge support as UCU strike action begins
By Socialist Party Scotland members
The first two days of the university lecturers strike in defence of their pensions was very well supported across Scotland. Socialist Party Scotland and Socialist Students took part in picket lines and rallies in Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen. There were very large mobilisations of lecturers and students across Glasgow and Strathclyde universities. Strathclyde’s sprawling campus saw many pickets out over many sites.
Over a hundred staff and students picketing the main gate at Glasgow University. On Thursday, students marched from both campuses to support their lecturers. The Strathclyde UCU branch is participating in a “teach in” on fighting austerity in the students union.
Pickets told us the deputy principal at Strathclyde had emailed students saying the strike would have no impact but many students are coming out in support.
Adam, a UCU picket at Glasgow University, told us: “It’s interesting to see the Vice Chancellors and university bosses divided. Even ours says there should be negotiation but we need to keep the pressure on.”
150 striking lecturers and students took part in the UCU rally in Dundee. UCU members attended from St Andrews as well as Dundee Univeristy. A solidarity delegation from Dundee’s Abertay University also took part.
Kate, a lecturer from St Andrews, told the rally: “The stress of the pension attacks have been visible to my dentist. He told me, it looks like you’ve been clenching your teeth a lot.”
“I’m supposed believe these changes to our pensions are fair. After I work for 35 years I’ve no idea how I will support myself when I retire. We’re not supposed to go on strike but we’re going to do what we have to do and not what we are supposed to do. We’re told we should think of our students and I do but underpaid, insecure and anxious staff do not make for a good place for students to study”
The overwhelming support from students was evident at all the universities affected. Socialist Students stalls in the run up to the strike starting had seen a huge response from students seeking to bring solidarity to the UCU members. In addition, the union has reported a surge in membership as previously unorganised lecturers had rushed to join the union in the run-up to the strike.
Socialist Party Scotland members distributed hundreds of leaflets in support of the strike and calling for coordination strike action across the public sector.
The instinctive mood in favour of united action was evident in Dundee and Glasgow where UCU strikers attended the council workers’ protests at the respective budget setting meetings. Tens of millions in cuts were being put through by the SNP-led councils in both cities. Ironically, Dundee and Glasgow had returned the largest votes for independence in the 2014 referendum.
Unions including the PCS, Unison, FBU and many others also brought messages of support and solidarity to the lecturers strike action.
