The below is written by an Anarchist Comrade that has taken part in the most
recent round of UCU strike action - three days of strike action from 1st-3rdDecember and ongoing action short of a strike. ---- It has been a very long 18months since our branch was last out on strike in March 2020. While there havebeen many changes in daily life over that time one thing that has not changed arethe profound problems in higher education. In fact most the changes that haveoccurred at our university have exacerbated the existing problems. Workloads thatwere already excessive have increased even further with "hybrid" teaching methodsand more online teaching. In addition, in our branch, like many others, there areworkers threatened with redundancy.With workers exhausted - mentally, physicallyand emotionally - it was felt by some members that getting over the 50% ballotthreshold, let alone mounting a strong campaign of industrial action was going tobe a challenge. Thanks to the hard work of a few members we successfully beat theturnout, and now mounted a decent start to strike action.Our branch is a small one and with so many staff working from home we decided topicket both physically and virtually. The turnout at the picket line outside theuniversity was good on the first day but unfortunately did drop for days two andthree (though overall turnout was reasonable for a small branch such as ours).Throughout the strikes atmosphere at the physical picket line was good (despitethe cold weather). We all enjoyed meeting up physically with comrades we have notseen for many months - or in some cases ever, one the best things was getting tomeet people I had never meet in person before. And while picketing is physicallytiring as one comrade noted it was great not to have to bother replying to emailsfor three days!The support from people outside the union also helped keep spirits up, we hadvisits from both the National Education Union and the local trades council (forme, and I believe most workers, even short visits to picket lines are always muchappreciated and raise the mood of picketers). We also had better support fromstudents this time than in 2019/2020, with a number of students coming down tothe picket lines to talk, and some cases, support us. Though as in former actionsour branch has not received any solidarity, even emails/letters, from any of thelocal Labour MPs, councillors or constituency parties.It would be foolish to underestimate the challenges that the current disputesface. Members are tired and jaded and we have a hill to climb. Being out withcomrades was a tough and tiring experience but also one where I (re-)connotedwith other workers.https://wessexsolidarity.wordpress.com/2021/12/06/from-the-picket-lines/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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