Peoples Gazette
The University and College Union (UCU), the UK trade union for university staff, said the strike aimed at improving the educational sector will be the biggest in decades in the history of UK.
The UCU said over 70,000 members will take part in the strike action which will hold on Thursday, Friday and next Wednesday.
“This is the biggest week in our history. Every single university takes strike action on Thursday and Friday,” a statement by the union read. “We need every member, student and supporter on our picket lines on Thursday to show the employers that this time is different.”
Jo Grady, the general secretary of UCU, warned that it will be the “biggest strike action” in the country unless their demand are meant.
Ms Grady asserted, “Staff are burnt out but they are fighting back and they will bring the whole sector to a standstill. Vice-chancellors only have themselves to blame. Their woeful leadership has led to the biggest vote for strike action ever in our sector. Students are standing with staff because they know this can’t go on.”
The National Union of Students (NUS), expressed its support for the strikes despite the impact on academic activities.
“We have always been clear that staff working conditions are students’ learning conditions, and for more than a decade both have come under attack from a sector that puts profits above education,” said Chloe Field, the vice-president of NUS.
