UCU members at Salford Uni went on strike today over proposed changes to their pensions. These alterations, if they are forced through without the consent of the UCU, will mean lecturers will face a poorer retirement. The proposed changes discriminate against new lecturers - since they will be ineligible to join the final salary pension scheme - and people in the final salary scheme who are out of work for more than 6 months. In this jobs climate, when the government is effectively destroying the education sector, and an estimated 40,000 jobs will be lost, this will impact on a lot of people.
Universities' best resource are the lecturers, we must support them as students. This attack on their working conditions will harm students in the long term, and any support we offer them is a continuation of the campaign we have waged against the rise in tuition fees, besides being the right thing to do.
Members of the Salford Uni Against Cuts group started the day off outside the student union building to demonstrate our support for staff on strike. We then went to various picket lines to support them. There were noticeably fewer people on campus and the action was strong. We're looking forward to the next day of action on Thursday!
Members of the Salford Uni Against Cuts group started the day off outside the student union building to demonstrate our support for staff on strike. We then went to various picket lines to support them. There were noticeably fewer people on campus and the action was strong. We're looking forward to the next day of action on Thursday!
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