A few weeks ago, I posted the following item about a strike ballot of members of the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT):
The IFUT ballot has now closed, with the result an overwhelming majority (92.5%) in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action. For more details see here. The planned strikes have already generated some press reaction:
Unless the Government changes its position and starts negotiating very soon, the next steps will be as follows:
- Monday, 5 October: one-hour work stoppage from 12 noon – 1pm
- Wednesday, 14 October: 24-hour strike action and full withdrawal of labour;
- Wednesday, 21 October: 24-hour strike action and full withdrawal of labour.
The first of these dates, 5th October, is World Teachers’ Day. I will be on strike on the following two days. That means the lectures I would have had on these days will not happen. I am sorry for the disruption this will cause to students’ education, but current situation is intolerable. The ball is in the Government’s court.
Other campus unions (Unite, SIPTU and TEEU) will be striking too, and over the next couple of weeks or so plans will be made as to how to coordinate picket lines, etc, with them. This dispute involves all the public services in Ireland, including schools and hospitals.
P.S. UCU members at Nottingham University are taking industrial action. You can support them by contributing to their hardship fund here.
