OverWORKED, UnderValued, UnderPAID ---> S-T-R-I-K-E

To all ma Mancunian buddies, U might ease ur bumps today by loittering or lepak-ing in ur own room. Lectures are cancelled !! An my IP seminar too.. Hooray

Y?

Tra Laaaaa ...

Its da one-day AUT Higher Education Union Strike which took place today, starting at 0800 hours in da morning.
Since its a day-off, I wudnt want to loose da chance to witness such big turn-out. Lemme tell ya, its been raining since early dawn. For most peeps, rain means gloomy days, spoilt plans, ruined clothes ...
but it doesnt be dat way I've seen today.

Loads of academics, researchers and students gathered to make dis strike a blast. n Zack Idris seemed not to be left out to be part of da parade. We marched from Withworth Hall in Oxford Road till All Saints Park.

~Enjoy~ How da rain inspires suffered peeps to speak-up their ideas n thoughts. It sparks more energy to their own creative will-power than sunshine can ever hope to.

Those who aren't UK-based, u might not have any idea wat da strike is all about. ~even I doubt all da UK students do.. ~sigh~ I've enclosed some info, shud u guys wanna check those out..

The University & College Lecturer's Union (NATFHE) & The Higher Education Union Strike (AUT) ...

7 March 2006

Y R We Taking Action?

- Over da last decades, uni staffs have delivered huge increases in productivity. On average,

lecturers taught 9 students, now they teach 21: an increase of 133%

- In 2004. Tony Blair said:' the shortfall of teaching funding has badly hit da salalries of

academic staff, which have shown practically no increase in real terms over two decades.'

- Without properly rewarded and motivated staff, we believe da quality of higher edu will

decline. The National Union of Students agrees.

- Most lecturers and academic-related staff now endure years of short-term contracts. Their

salaries start and end lower than those of comparable skilled professionals such as teachers,

doctors and lawyers.

Y Now?

- The employers have told us year after dat they wud love to increase pay, if only funding

allowed

- The employers even mentioned low acedemic salaries as a way of convincing many MPs to

vote top-up fees.

- University vice-chancellors awarded themselves average pay increases of 25.25% for da three

year period between 2001-04.

- Now, with top-up fees, additional teaching and research funding, and other grants coming

on-stream in 2006, dere is £3.5 bn of new money coming into da sector. Funding is rising by

around 25% over da next three years

- In 2005, our members voted to accept 3% for one year, suspending demands for a better offer

until 2006, whenda new funding starts, AUT n NATFHE have tried, and continue to try

everything to pursuade da employers to make ab offer which will restore our pay to da level

of comparable professionals

How Can We Resolve This Dispute?

- Taking strike action or other disruptive action is always da last resort for any union. AUT and

NATFHE are no exception. We r committed to a negotiated settlement

- An assesment boycott is da most difficult thing dat academic and related professionals cud

undertake.

- For dedicated professionals to contemplate such an act is a measure of the extent to which we

have exhausted every other means. It stands as a condemnation of the complacency of da

employers.

Acting Together To Defend Higher Education

- Students n staff have a proud history of supporting each other, most recently against da

introduction of top-up fees. Unions continue to oppose further marketisation of education.

The voices of staff and students together represent da best interests of da higher edu sector

and together we can pursuade da employers to take our needs and our views seriously.

- There is no need for industrial action to continue - all da employers need to do is to stick to

their promises and deliver a decent, respectable offer. If u r a student or a parent n r

concerned bout dis sispute, please contact da head of ur institution or department.

More info?

- www.aut.org.uk/paybacktime

- www.nafthe.org.uk