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