University Staff Take Joint Strike Action

Sandra Lee, UNITE rep at Leicester University said:

“We have had our pay effectively frozen for years. Now senior managers are paying themselves large bonuses whilst 10% of our staff don’t earn the living wage. As far as we are concerned whether teach medicine or law, whether you discovered Richard IIIrd or whether you keep the buildings clean, well maintained or secure, you should be valued.

“Today has been awesome! We have had huge numbers on picket lines and student support. The students have put banners up and used a megaphone to support us. The front page of the students’ newspaper supported us and in an online poll 75% of students were on our side. It’s overwhelming!”

Leicester Socialist Students show support

Socialist Student members did a banner drop in support of striking staff at Leicester university. They occupied the students’ union building roof and dropped a large banner supporting the workers at the main entrance to the university.

Socialist Student members did a banner drop in support of striking staff at Leicester university 31 October 2013. Unite and Unison campus branches backed a joint leaflet with Socialist Students advertising a follow up Socialist Students meeting.

Pickets, including UCU members handed out thousands of these flyers. The front page of the student newspaper has an article written by a Socialist Students member supporting the strike.

For further articles see the Leicester Mercury’s piece and a more comprehensive article by the Socialist Party; also see “Labour Councillor Crosses [DMU] Picket Line.”