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

UCU Members from the Northern Region join London Demo

UCU members and representatives took the fight against cuts in post-16 education to London on Wednesday 10th November 2010.

Below are a few of the photos from the day and there was some good publicity for us, including Kathy Taylor (Vice-President of UCU and a lecturer from our region) appearing on BBC breakfast news to state our case http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11724170

Other publicity can be found at:

Hundreds of North students join demonstration
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2010/11/11/hundreds-of-north-students-join-demonstration-61634-27638208/

Research indicates turmoil over university budget cuts
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8627637.Research_indicates_turmoil_over_university_budget_cuts/

In The News - protests at lunchtime make the press

A variety of protests took place on Wednesday 4th June and UCU and UNISON managed to gain some coverage in the media.

South Tyneside College

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/College-staff-protest-over-pay.4148536.jp

City of Sunderland College

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/Passengers-to-be-hit-by.4149705.jp

Article in "The Independent"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/further/pay-talks-open-as-low-morale-bites-840176.html

Press Association:

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5j68UKt1rYoUP9QooLtVhKlAajcjw

Newcastle College UCU Branch - cheque out their protest!

Adding his signature - UCU member Stephen Lambert joins others in the protest

David O'Toole, UCU Branch Chair and Vanessa Maughan, UCU Branch Secretary hold up the cheque signed by College Staff, symbolising the amount of un-paid overtime that lecturers undertake.

The Newcastle Evening Chronicle (4th June 2008) carried the story:

The lunchtime protest at Newcastle College was supported by both UCU and UNISON representatives, and staff came down to sign up to the campaign and the UCU cheque and agreed that the 2.5% pay offer was derisory. Coverage was also in "The Journal":
http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2008/06/04/walkout-pay-claim-protest-at-colleges-61634-21019512/

Staff and Students at Bishop Auckland College Protest on Pay

Lined up together - wound up by low pay!

United in action - UCU and UNISON

Students at Bishop Auckland College show their support by wearing UCU stickers....
....and taking "Timeout" bars with lecturers who took timeout from their working day!

Staff and students at Bishop Auckland College came out in force on the eve of pay negotiations between the AoC and the trade unions. UCU Branch Secretary Anne Bainbridge described the day as a great success as "the sun shone down on the Students and Staff and there was an excellent turnout from members".

Members of both UCU and UNISON took part in the protest and it generated good feelings of acting together to fight for better pay. "Timeout" bars were used to show the importance of taking time out and away from your desks. The clear message from both UCU and UNISON members at Bishop Auckland College is that 2.5% is not enough!