Archive for Industrial action

Marking and Assessment Boycott

Posted in Education with tags , , on April 20, 2023 by telescoper

Meanwhile, in the UK, members of the University and College Union have begun a marking and assessment boycott as part of the lengthy industrial action they are taking against employers over pay and working conditions. I am no longer involved in UK academia, of course, and indeed I will be spending much of this afternoon correcting class tests, but I know plenty of people who are so I’d like to express my support for this just cause.

I’m taking this opportunity to share this video made by UCU of a presentation about the marking and assessment boycott, which I hope may prove useful.

2 Comments »

Solidarity to the UCU Strikers #UCURising

Posted in Education with tags , , , on February 14, 2023 by telescoper

Today is Thursday 14th February so it sees the first of another three consecutive days of strike action by members of the University and College UCU across the UK over pay, pensions and working conditions. Although I no longer work in the UK I’d like to send this message of support to my former colleagues there who will be out on the picket lines today. There will be another three days of strikes next week, and four days the week after that.

Leave a comment »

Solidarity to the UCU Strikers #UCURising

Posted in Education with tags , , , on February 9, 2023 by telescoper

Today is Thursday 9th February so it sees the first of another two consecutive days of strike action by members of the University and College UCU across the UK. Although I no longer work in the UK I’d like to send this message of support to my former colleagues there who will be out on the picket lines tomorrow and on subsequent days. There will be further escalation of strike action next week, with three days of strikes.

This industrial action arises from a dispute over pensions, pay, and working conditions. The strikes will affect 2.5 million students but are necessary to safeguard not only the livelihoods of academic staff against increased casualisation and salary cuts but the UK university system itself, which is being ruined by incompetent management. Regrettably, the strikes will cause considerable disruption but, frankly, there is no point in a strike that doesn’t do that.

Leave a comment »