Strike action at Dundee Uni escalates
Jim McFarlane
Strike action by workers at Dundee University is being escalated. Senior management at the University took the decision to plough ahead with changes to the University of Dundee Superannuation Scheme.
These changes only impact on the lowest paid workers at the University. The new scheme proposed would see a cut of 40% in pension income for some.
The proposals have already seen determined strike action of hundreds of UNISON and Unite members over the past year. This is now being escalated by Unite members recently beginning 12 weeks of strike action.
They have now been joined this week by UNISON colleagues with another two week all-out strike, to be followed by more selective action.
Senior management at the University are paid well over six figure salaries, deciding to put its own already low paid workers into pension poverty when they eventually retire.
The strikers have shown real determination to maintain the action they have built over months. Their picket lines and demonstrations are a show of determination and energy.
Public support has been overwhelming as other workers pass on the main road waving and tooting horns.
There has been support from the student population and other local trade unions through messages of solidarity and donations to hardship funds.
New union reps have stepped up to the plate to build the action and keep the pressure on showing that strike action builds the trade union structures.
Local politicians have occasionally been seen at the picket and demonstrations. They need to be reminded that their support is welcome but has to go beyond a good photo opportunity.
SNP-led Dundee City Council likes to portray the city as a “Fair Work City”. It should be doing more to put pressure on one of the largest employers in the city to withdraws its attack on pensions at the University.
With the growing mood for strike action across many sectors, it is clear that the trade union leaders should be looking to co-ordinate and generalise all the disputes into a massive show of unity.
They need to ensure that individual struggles are not left isolated.
Workers right to a pension in retirement have been won over the decades through determined action. That same struggle needs to be repeated to ensure future generations have decent pay and pensions.
