More than 70,000 teachers from 150 British universities will strike for three days later this month to demand better pay and work as well as an increase in pensions, as announced by the Union of Universities and Colleges (UCA) .A union organization created in 2006 by the merger of the University Teachers Association and the National Association of Teachers of Continuing and Higher Education.
The force majeure, which will be the largest in the history of UK higher education institutions and is estimated to affect around 2.5 million students, will occur within the framework of the labor crisis facing the countryMost affected by inflationary dynamics in the last four decades, which has triggered protests and strikes in various sectors of the economy.
“UCU members don’t want to go on strike, but they do it to save the field and to gain respect at work. This contention is strongly supported by students because they know their learning conditions are our working conditions. is a member”Union Secretary General Joe Grady said. “If the rector of the university does not take this seriously, our message is simple: this strike is only the beginning,” warned the leader.
UCA said in a statement that the strike could be avoided if employers acted quickly and made better offers. “If they don’t, the strike action will intensify next year,” blessed Assurance. As established, the measure in force from 23 November will include regulation work and a refusal on the part of professors to recover lost teaching hours and cover absent colleagues.
The union, which last month decided to strike a majority in two national votes, is calling for a significant pay hike to deal with the cost of living and temporary contracts. After more than a decade of downward inflation updates, employers have so far offered wage increases of only 3% this year.
In September, inflation in the United Kingdom was at 10.1% annually compared to 9.9% in August, according to the Office for National Statistics, thus remaining at the highest level in 40 years. Also, employees demand better conditions, as one-third of academic workers have some sort of temporary contract. With respect to pensions, UCUs require employers to reverse deductions and reinstate benefits.
According to UCA estimates, the cut package announced by universities earlier this year will result in an average loss of 35% of income for retired teachers as well as future retirees; Whereas for teachers just starting their careers means they will lose thousands of pounds annually.
For his part, the Vice President of Higher Education for the National Union of Students (NUS), Chloe Field, announced the solidarity of students from across the United Kingdom with the coercion measure initiated by the UCA. “The teaching conditions of the employees are the learning conditions of the students and we must fight together for a better and healthier education system for all who work and study.Field said.
According to NUS, a third of students live on less than £50 a month after paying rent and utility bills, and 96% of the 3,500 surveyed by the unit cut costs, in this context one in 10 Only 2 said they had received any kind of support from the government and only 8 out of 100 believe the British executive is doing enough to support them.
In work data, it is highlighted that 75% of respondents said they cannot continue paying for study materials and many students end up in debt to the financial system, either through bank loans or their credit cards. From. Credits, for continuing your studies.
,Universities must negotiate and take action to end these disputes, It is the responsibility of their employees and students to end unacceptable pay inequalities for employees of color, employees with disabilities, and women, and to protect employee pensions so they can retire with dignity. As activists of the future, students have a lot to achieve if UCU members win this battle,” Field said.
