Darlington College Picket Lines get a VIP visit!

Pickets were up and ready to start at 7.00a.m. at Darlington College as UCU members showed the strength of feeling about attacks to pay and pensions. Around 100 members took strike action and a quarter of those turned up on the picket lines to show to others why we were taking action. Those who came on the picket line were visited by two members of the union's national executive - Kathy Taylor (Vice-President) and John McCormack (NEC-FE). "A great turnout by the branch and pickets were well organised, in good spirits but in a determined mood", said Kathy Taylor.

In good spirits! Pickets at Darlington College Pickets spoke to everyone to make sure the message got across. "Support from the students was excellent" said one of the pickets. Leaflets (below) were given out to explain what we were striking for. Showing their support for the UCU campaign!

The branch at Darlington College have had some successes recently and this was reflected in the good support for the action. During last summer and at the start of this academic year UCU and its members fought hard to ensure jobs were protected: 1. REDUNDANCIES – No enforced job losses as a result of hard union negotiations with the support of members. 2. Inadequate classrooms and class sizes too big for workshops – A vote of no confidence in the college management voted for by the membership and worked to a conclusion by your officials resulting in a much improved situation and working conditions. 3. RESTRUCTURING OF WBL – Following long and hard negations by both UCU & UNISON and our members, a positive outcome was reached with no compulsory redundancies.

Kathy Taylor said "It was good to visit a branch where the support for the union is strong and where there is clear evidence that acting collectively and with determination has brought results for members of our union."

Strike causes disruption at Newcastle University

UCU members were up early and picketing on Thursday 24th March 2011 as strike action over a 0.4% pay rise led to anger amongst academics. The strike at Newcastle University had big lively pickets with music and banners and the support from the students was visible and very welcome, including one Newcastle University student who spoke in support of our action at the mass rally. Chi Onwurah, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and Shadow Business Minister, sent a message of support. After picketing, UCU members and students at Newcastle University joined the march against education cuts and marched to the Monument in the centre of Newcastle, where one of the speakers was Barry Gills, UCU President at Newcastle University (below). Jonny Pickering (below) is a student at Newcastle University and he addressed the mass rally and pledged the support of students to UCU's action.

The march and rally appeared on Tyne Tees news in the evening and attracted some good publicity, including some supportive articles in the newspaper for Newcastle University students:

http://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/university/news/246023/news_lecturers_stand_firm_in_wage_dispute_28032011/

http://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/university/news/246193/news_these_cuts_are_hitting_our_finances_hard_well_be_lucky_to_keep_the_roof_over_our_heads_28032011/

http://www.thecourieronline.co.uk/university/news/246013/news_university_backtracks_on_850000_vip_lounge_28032011/

Other coverage includes:

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/03/25/north-east-teaching-union-members-go-on-strike-61634-28400710/

http://sparksunderland.com/2011/03/24/lecturers-and-students-protest-in-newcastle-and-sunderland/ http://nessn.org.uk/2011/03/newcastle-the-ucu-strike-on-24-march/

Students show their support for strike at Newcastle College

Pickets at the main campus of Newcastle College - Rye Hill

Pickets were up early and ready to show the strength of feeling of UCU members at Newcastle College about the attack on pay and pensions for those working in FE Colleges.

Those working at Newcastle College had additional incentives to be angry as the College has begun proceedings to dismiss as redundant 171 staff (10% of the workforce). More details on this can be found on the Newcastle College UCU website at http://newcastlecollege.web.ucu.org.uk/

The students have shown their support for lecturers and UCU at the College and this was reported here:

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/03/22/walk-out-threat-over-job-losses-at-college-72703-28380627/

The anger of both staff and students was visible for all on Thursday 24th March as UCU Branch representatives reported good turnouts on the pickets and a lot of support from students and the public - including the Fire Brigades Union.

After the pickets, staff and students marched together to join the main march and rally in Newcastle City Centre, and David O'Toole (Branch Secretary of UCU at Newcastle College) addressed the mass rally at the Monument (below) and spoke of the anger amongst members and the support that the union was receiving from students.

Patrick Hutchinson, Branch Chair of UCU at Newcastle College says: "How proud I am of both the branch and the students who took part in the strike. The passion and depth of feeling was a sight to behold. I want to thank everyone who attended what was for me was one of my best days as a trade unionist. I don’t think the day could have been any better."

He added, "It is is unfortunate that UCU members at Newcastle College had three reasons to take strike action today - national pay cuts, national attacks on pensions, and local job losses. That simply tripled the anger that was felt by many and has made people more determined to fight back."

For more on Newcastle College job losses:

http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/03/26/newcastle-college-group-under-fire-over-new-top-jobs-61634-28405981/

(with special thanks to Simon Drummond for providing the photographs at Newcastle College)

Derwentside College on strike for pay and pensions!

Pay and Pensions are under attack for those who work in Further Education:http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5421&from=1676 and so pickets were up early and on duty at Derwentside College in Consett on Thursday 24th March 2011

A good day was had by all and Branch Secretary Ian Stephenson reported that there was "universal goodwill from students and passers-by who were sympathetic to the cause." He added that "the ballons and the stickers that we had were appreciated and helped us to draw attention to our strike against cuts in our pay and pensions."

Cumbria Colleges on strike for pay, pensions and the future of FE

Colleges in Cumbria took strike action on 24th March 2011 to fight to keep a decent pension and to try and negotiate a better pay rise than the derisory 0.2% that has been offered. In the run up to the strike, there was some good coverage of the issues, including:
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/carlisle-college-lecturers-set-to-strike-in-pay-row-1.818871?referrerPath=home/2.3320
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/college-staff-to-strike-1.820269?referrerPath=news

Picket Line at Kendal College (above) which had a good turnout, support from students and a visit from the press.

On the day, some strikers travelled to Newcastle for the march and mass rally and the media covered the action as well (see link below)

Media coverage of the strike action includes:

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/lecturers-go-on-strike-in-pensions-revamp-protest-1.821608?referrerPath=home/2.3320

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/cumbrian-college-and-university-lecturers-take-part-in-national-strike-1.821401?referrerPath=news

City of Sunderland College - "All classes are cancelled" - 24/03/11

"All classes are cancelled" - came the message from the College about the plans for the strike day. This showed the strength of feeling that the College knew there was on the issues of pay and pensions. Nevertheless, the UCU Branch at Sunderland College organised picketing at every site to make sure the strike was as solid as could be expected. (Not all sites have photos).

Pickets at Hylton Skills Campus
Pickets at St Peters Sixth Form
Pickets at the Bede Centre
Cath Hepburn (Branch Secretary of UCU at City of Sunderland College) speaks out

And others from Sunderland also came to the mass rally in Newcastle!

The UCU Branch at City of Sunderland College got good support all round and it was clear that the strike would have an impact: http://www.citysun.ac.uk/latest-news/ucustrikeactiondetails/

Branch Officers of UCU appeared on the radio to speak about the issues and this can be found here: http://www.sun-fm.com/news/review.php?article=391137

Pickets and strikers travelled up to Newcastle for the mass regional rally and Cath Hepburn spoke out and thanked everyone for their support.

Stockton Riverside College Lecturers take action!

Lecturers at Stockton Riverside College took strike action on 24th March 2011 to protest at the derisory 0.2% pay rise and the attack on teachers' pensions. For the full story:
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/gazette-communities/ts17-ingleby-barwick-and-thornaby/ts17-ingleby-barwick-and-thornaby-news/2011/03/24/teesside-lecturers-protest-over-pensions-84229-28395261/

This comes just weeks after the College had announced job losses which the union is campaigning against and which staff feel will affect their ability to do a good job. Along with all the changes to ESOL funding, this does not amount to a good deal for the Further Education sector.

Click on the links below for more details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-12244223
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2011/01/20/40-jobs-to-go-at-stockton-riverside-college-84229-28022004/
http://bdaily.co.uk/news/business-networks/24-01-2011/40-jobs-to-be-lost-at-north-east-college/
http://danjjohnson.wordpress.com/2011/01/24/job-losses-at-stockton-riverside-college/

Karen Sutcliffe, Branch Secretary for UCU at SRC, spoke of the need to fight back: "The strike was well supported and we had a lot of good feedback from people. It is obvious that UCU members are saying that 'enough is enough' and we need to make a stand. Thanks to all those who supported us."

Pickets at FE Colleges across Durham on 24th March 2011

Lecturers across FE Colleges in Durham were taking strike action to protest about pay and pensions. Lesley Rich and Mike Binner, Branch Officers at New College Durham picketed to explain the situation to staff and students alike, and were joined by Joyce McAndrew, Regional Support Official for UCU, (and others) on the picket line.

Early bird pickets at New College Durham.

Lesley Rich (Branch Secretary of UCU) reports: "Good support from members and students for our action over the important issues of pay and pensions"

Pickets at East Durham College in good spirits

East Durham College has recently been ignoring UCU and the union has accused it of "macho-management". See:

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5244

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/union_slams_college_s_macho_management_1_2989434

http://www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6069302

The good turn out on the picket lines was welcomed by Ray McAleer (UCU Branch Chair) and Ray and John Reid (Branch Secretary) say:

"Thanks to all pickets and strikers for helping to make the strike a success. Our pension is worth fighting for and defending and all those who took action deserve every credit."

Sunderland University on Strike!

Lecturers across Sunderland University took strike action on 24th March 2011 to fight for jobs and to protect pay and pensions.

Pickets were up early and at every campus and building:

At St Peters Campus

Gathering for a rally at the City Campus

Together we are stronger!

Many of the strikers and pickets later attended a mass rally of lecturers and students in Newcastle, Jeff Fowler, Branch Secretary of UCU at Sunderland University, addresses the rally:

Publicity before the strike:
http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/education/sunderland_university_lecturers_to_strike_over_pay_and_pensions_fear_1_3185437

On the day of the strike:

http://sparksunderland.com/2011/03/24/lecturers-and-students-protest-in-newcastle-and-sunderland/

After the strike:

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/local/sunderland_lecturers_skip_lessons_as_strike_begins_1_3213719

Northumberland College lecturers strike as pay rise is 0.2% and pensions are under attack

Pickets at the main entrances to Northumberland College, Ashington

Making pickets (and striking!) as visible as possible! Pickets at Northumberland College were up early to picket and then went on to the centre of Newcastle for a march and rally, to hear Kathy Taylor (ex-Branch Secretary of Northumberland College and current national Vice-President) speak about the first national dispute involving all of UCU

Among the mass of people at the rally, Mavis Taggart (Branch Secretary), Toby Bell (Branch Chair) and Simon Chalk (Vice-Chair) and others!

Mavis Taggart reports:

"Staff at Northumberland College both at Ashington and Kirkley Hall turned out early for picket line duty. They were rewarded finely with bacon and sausage butties! As usual on these occasions, spirits were high. What a shame it takes Government cuts to allow staff to spend some time together! The rally that followed was inspiring and it was good to see colleagues from other branches and have an excuse to sink a few beers!"

Teesside University Lecturers - on strike to defend pensions, pay and jobs

Lecturers at Teesside University - "The University of the Year!" - took strike action on 24 March 2011 and reported good support from staff and students alike, also reporting that senior management in the institution were sympathetic to the dispute as "No-one likes it when their pension and their future is attacked".

Further coverage:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2011/03/23/teesside-lecturers-take-action-in-pensions-protest-84229-28383004/

South Tyneside College - Pickets and Strike 24 March 2011

Pickets at Hebburn Campus

The above picket was named on the UCU website on the day:

"The winner of the first branch to report pickets up and running goes to

South Tyneside College"

(reported at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5395)

Branch Secretary, Jonathan Spink, had ensured that every entrance at both sites were covered and some of the pickets at the main site are below:

The pickets recived support from UNISON on the picket line as Merv Butler, Branch Secretary of South Tyneside local government branch visited pickets and sent this message:

"Good Luck with the strike action. Please convey the support of Unison to your members. You are the first into action on pay and pensions. I am sure others will follow. Best Wishes."

Pickets had been buoyed by members refusing to cross the picket line on the day and the positive media coverage before the event:

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/education/college_lecturers_set_to_strike_1_3207039

Afterwards, some strikers from South Tyneside College attended the mass rally in Newcastle:

Further coverage from the day can be found at http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/education/lecturers_walk_out_in_pay_fight_1_3213125

and

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/education/strike_lecturers_out_to_make_their_point_1_3219013

Durham University UCU on strike over pensions

UCU Pickets at Durham University on Tuesday 22nd March 2011
- on strike over pensions.

Kathy Taylor, UCU National Vice-President, speaking to Tyne Tees

- showing support for the dispute over USS pensions

Veronica Killen, UCU Regional Secretary (and newly elected NEC member) showing support for the dispute at Durham University

More details can be found:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8906804.Lecturers_to_strike/

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5415

http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5371