University of Nottingham: Strike Continues

THIRD-WAVE OF STRIKES HIT UON

Staff and academics from the University of Nottingham are currently participating in a third day of strike action regarding an on going dispute over pay and conditions.

One UoN lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “The strike is due to our employers’ refusal to negotiate. In the autumn universities remained silent, whereas now there are press releases about the disruption caused to students. Strikes must be having some effect”.

On the other end of the spectrum, Vice-Chancellors across the country received an average pay rise of 8.1%, taking their annual salaries firmly into the six-figure tier.

“When the Vice Chancellor is paid twenty times more than some lectures and staff members, increasing fairness is a priority.”

With regards to this, another lecturer stated: “this is not [the] Vice Chancellor’s pay in itself, it is about the disparity in pay between the Vice Chancellor and staff.

When the Vice Chancellor is paid twenty times more than some lectures and staff members, increasing fairness is a priority.”

However, today’s strike is as much about the rate of pay as it is about the systematic transition towards the privatisation of universities.

Professor Andreas Bieler from the School of Politics and International Relations described the pay-cut as “unacceptable” and said that an “attack on pension rights” loom for new members of staff.

Bieler believes this further reflects a move towards “marketising Higher Education” painting an overall image whereby the higher education environment is becoming dominated by market competition.

UoN staff are keen to reiterate that they do not like, nor want, to go on strike and it is a last resort. They are in the academia field due to their passion and enthusiasm for their discipline and therefore maintain the right to fair pay.

“We have lost many hundreds of pounds in pay due to strike action and students need to realise this. We will not be wage slaves”

A lecturer on strike today maintained, “We have lost many hundreds of pounds in pay due to strike action and students need to realise this. We will not be wage slaves”.

A first year student at UoN stated that ‘”Sadly, unlike in industry, university strikes do not hold the same impact. Universities will still gain their £9000 tuition fees (roughly £58 for the day, which is a very conservative estimate) from students despite the strike.

They will not be paying staff and academics that strike today [although they will still be receiving fees]. Therefore, this further elongates the entire process and the chance of a resolution.”

Due to the failure to reach a long-lasting, sustainable and equitable solution, more industrial action is expected in 2014.

The University is yet to comment on today’s strike. students need to realise this. We will not be wage slaves”

A lecturer on strike today maintained, “We have lost many hundreds of pounds in pay due to strike action and students need to realise this. We will not be wage slaves”.

A first year student at UoN stated that ‘”Sadly, unlike in industry, university strikes do not hold the same impact. Universities will still gain their £9000 tuition fees (roughly £58 for the day, which is a very conservative estimate) from students despite the strike.

They will not be paying staff and academics that strike today [although they will still be receiving fees]. Therefore, this further elongates the entire process and the chance of a resolution.”

Due to the failure to reach a long-lasting, sustainable and equitable solution, more industrial action is expected in 2014.

The University is yet to comment on today’s strike.