Rent strikers at The University of Manchester (UoM) have been given a show of solidarity by 10,860 fellow students, almost a quarter of the entire student body. In an official referendum, only open to UoM students, 97% of respondents voted in favour of the strikers’ demands. The 350 members of the rent strike are calling for more students to join the movement in time for the next payment date on 20 April.
Second day of UCU strike action heralds beginning of new ‘Winter of discontent’
The University and College Union (UCU), the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), UNISON and the National Union of Students (NUS) joined forces for a march on Friday 25 November, travelling along Oxford Road to hear impassioned speeches in Manchester’s St Peter’s Square. The Meteor joined the rally to talk to those involved.
Three Manchester events this fortnight: Socialism & Trade Unionism 15 Nov, Organising for a New Education 19 Nov, UCU Strike Fundraiser 26 Nov
Get your tickets now for these three events coming up in November 2022 in Manchester.
UCU members vote for strike action in ‘historic’ ballot
University and College Union (UCU) members voted overwhelmingly for strike action last month, to increase pay and improve conditions (81.1%) and reverse cuts to pensions (84.9%) in ‘historic’ ballot. If the dispute remains unresolved, up to 70,000 workers across 150 universities will strike over three days at the end of November.
Autumn of Action to follow Summer of Solidarity
Trades Unions are working together with community groups to organise action against poor pay & conditions, and the cost-of-living crisis. I attended the first of many planned ‘town hall’ meetings in Greater Manchester designed to inform and prepare locals to fight back against a broken system.
Universities in Manchester need to value their students more than their profit margins
Manchester student returning to University this year after experiencing the last academic year under the Covid lockdowns, reflects on how the marketisation of education contributed to the dire experience of students through the pandemic.
Why we students should back our lecturers on strike
If ever there was a situation when students and academics should be thinking as one, this is it. Coverage of the dispute between university tutors and management is focusing on the proposed cuts to pensions. But what is largely being overlooked is that the whole situation is a result of the creeping commodification of higher […]