Tuesday 3rd December saw the second day of joint strike action by university staff in the UCU, Unison, and Unite unions, who were protesting over attacks on pay. Marxist society members and Socialist Appeal supporters were present on the picket lines and rallies across the country. We publish here a selection of reports from Marxist students.
Tuesday 3rd December saw the second day of joint strike action by university staff in the UCU, Unison, and Unite unions, who were protesting over attacks on pay. Marxist society members and Socialist Appeal supporters were present on the picket lines and rallies across the country. We publish here a selection of reports from Marxist students.
Sheffield
The second day of striking for UCU, Unite and Unison members at Sheffield University began with talk about an attempted occupation in the second largest building in Sheffield, the Arts Tower, by around 20 activists. The Marxist society, meanwhile, went straight to the picket lines for 9am.
Everyone from the Sheffield Marxist society was very keen and we spoke to a large number of striking staff and students on our roaming picket, starting at the centre of campus and working our way around the departments.
This time round, instead of simply asking people if they were supporting the striking staff, or just handing them a leaflet, we tried instead to engage everyone that walked past us in a quick 30 second chat about why the strike was happening, why it was important to support the university staff, and what they could do to support them. Whilst this showed that many students were unaware or didn’t want to stop, it also led to an increase in the number of actual discussions that we had, as opposed to briefly shouting slogans, allowing us to raise a Marxist analysis of the strikes, linking this event with other strikes around the UK and Europe.
What was interesting, and unusual to Sheffield perhaps, was the supposedly factual rumour being passed around that if students had been disrupted by the strike today – i.e. if they had lectures cancelled or were prevented from gaining access to buildings – then they should email the Vice Chancellor, who would be issuing refunds to all students who did this for a day’s worth of fees.
This was supposedly a 100% guarantee which we were a little dubious about, but if this is true then the more people we could get to email him, the more money university management would have to pay out. This meant three things: firstly, it prevents the university from profiting from the day of strike action by not having to pay their staff for a days work; secondly, nobody wants anyone to miss out on any education – the industrial action being taken by the staff today has come about through a lack of any satisfying and conclusive discussion and negotiation in terms of wage increases and fair pay. Whilst this is definitely a fight to be supported by us and all students, it is not to say that loosing a day’s education in order to support the workers’ battle is by any means a satisfactory compromise, so at least students have some way of reclaiming some of the extortionate fees that they are paying back from management whose fault the strike is in the first place; and thirdly, if enough students email the Vice Chancellor, this is not only a huge number of emails complaining about his treatment (and higher management’s) of staff, but it would also put significant financial pressure on the university as an establishment, enhancing the action of the staff.
Overall it was a successful intervention; we spoke to many staff who were again encouraged by the support shown by the students of Sheffield. Members of the Marxist society had a good day, which boosted their confidence in speaking about Marxist ideas with the people walking by the pickets.
Manchester
Today the Manchester Marxists intervened in the UCU, Unite, Unison strike regarding the pay dispute that has been affecting students and staff nationwide.
Pickets started from around 8.30am and it was very slow to start, although it did seem to pick up later. One thing to note was the high participation from students on the picket lines.
There seemed to be general support from those who weren’t part of the strike, and while there were many students who crossed the picket lines, most were turned away once they realised their lectures had been cancelled.
However, students seemed to make up the bulk of people on the picket lines, which shows that although many members of staff were out on strike, there hadn’t been enough organisation to get them down to the picket lines.
At 11.30am there was a march from the university to the town centre, which was well attended and joined people from Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan, which created a good atmosphere of solidarity. At the rally there seemed to be a recognition that this was only the beginning of the struggle and also people seemed open to discussing socialist ideas, particularly amongst students, but also workers.
This was the first real chance for the Manchester Marxists to make ourselves and our ideas known to other left societies within the university. We feel we had a good presence considering this was our first attempt, and our literature was well received. We look forward to participating in further activities in Manchester!
Leeds
Today the Leeds Marxists were present at the joint strike action by UCU/Unison/Unite (with a solidarity presence from FBU). The day seemed to go quite well from the trade unions’ perspective, with sizable pickets turning away many cars, although on the whole failing to turn away most students. The march and rally later in the day was again sizable enough with perhaps 500 present and a determined mood from all involved.
Although the strike didn’t seem to have the impact the Halloween one did in terms of closing buildings, it felt strong on the ground. It was also notable that although most students crossed the picket lines, there was some student presence this time at the rally, including from Labour Students. This was partially a result of union efforts to build stronger links with the student union, but it also demonstrates genuine support for the strike among sections of the student body. In particular, the money raised at the Marxist society for the strike was well received by those present on the picket lines.
In general, the day was very encouraging.
London
Marxist students were present at picket lines across London, including at Queen Mary’s, Kings College, SOAS, and the LSE.
At Queen Mary’s, one of the Marxist society members was interviewed for the satirical magazine “QMessenger”; the interview can be read below.
Members of the KCL Marxist society were at the picket line this morning, alongside students and members of staff. Recently, the society has been involved in supporting the Living Wage campaign at KCL, and it was good to once again link up with trade union comrades in this struggle.
At both SOAS and LSE, members of the Marxist societies were present at the “teach outs” organised by striking lecturers, which provide a space for political discussion and debate, without students having to cross the picket lines. Visiting speakers included Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the UCU, who spoke passionately about the determination to fight on behalf of the UCU and its members.
Interview with the Queen Mary’s “QMessenger” satirical magazine
Why are you here on the picket lines today?
Because I believe the university staff are basically being screwed over. There has been a 3% increase in inflation, but only a 1% increase in wages, and the staff have suffered a 13% pay cut in real terms. I believe the strike is linked to the wider issues in society; it highlights the issue that education has been transformed into a business these days.
Many students here believe the strike is insignificant, but they don’t realise it’s part of a wider struggle that also incorporates them. Students and lecturers are in the same boat. We now have to pay £9000 per year tuition fees, which is meant to make up for the cuts to education spending. We have to realise that cuts to teachers’ pay will affect us as students too.
How well has Queen Mary university supported today’s strike?
More needs to be done to raise awareness in the student body of the strike and the issue of university staff’s pay; the Student Union needs to do more in this respect.
Where do you think this strike will go?
In its current limited form, the strike will not go far. I really want to see a greater show of solidarity between students and staff, with more people attending the picket lines and disrupting the university. There are so many other factors that are connected to this strike too, like all the public sector pay cuts. At the end of the day it’s all about fighting to transform society and putting for socialist ideas, then we will see more success.
