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!"