Scores of universities in the East London area are set to go on strike on November 24, 25, and 30. The strike revolves around pensions and working conditions for members of staff at the institutions.
The University and College Union are arguing for an increase in pay due to the cost-of-living crisis and are fighting for a three percent pay rise.
Many staff members do not want to strike but feel they have no other choice.
Dr Renata Brandao, Senior Lecturer in Multimedia Journalism at the University of East London spoke about her somber feeling towards the strikes, “I hope improvements are made. The true answer to why the strikes are supposed to happen is much greater than just UEL, this is a wider academia issue, it’s not just UEL that needs to make changes.
“Strikes are something that is the last resort. I don’t like the disruption it has on students, especially after Covid, but teachers are at a breaking point.”
Dr Brandao said the slash of the pension payments is upsetting.
Students at UEL seem to have different views about the strike. Charice Wright, a second-year fashion journalism student voiced her frustration: “This coming so close to deadlines is quite disheartening, with the workload we have had I look to my lecturers more now than ever. It is a disruption, but I understand why they’re doing it, it’s important for their voices to be heard.”
Warren De la Cruz, a music journalism student, agreed that many students including him may feel affected by the strikes.
The UK university sector statistics show the income last year was £41.1bn with vice chancellors collectively earning an estimation of £45 million; UCU said that this amount of revenue had the ability to meet staff’s financial needs.
Job security has also been a hardship for lecturers. Back in February this year 24% of full-time university employees were on a fixed-term contract, instead of a permanent contract.
This tension between employers and UCU has been prevalent since 2018 when strikes over pensions were first put into action. The strike in the next two days and next Wednesday is another cry out for change.
All data from nature.
Edited by Shirin Ghayad