Bristol Uni staff return to picket lines as strikes ‘come to a head’

University of Bristol staff are once again standing in solidarity as they began a five-day walkout over an ongoing dispute about their pensions, pay and casualisation.

Monday saw protesters joining the picket lines across the campus to continue to voice their concerns over what they call “deteriorating pay and working conditions”.

It comes as a recently published University and College Union (UCU) report found that two thirds of university staff are considering leaving the sector because of the effect cuts were having.

Universities UK (UUK), which represents around 140 universities, says that there is an estimated shortfall of between £14b and £18b in funding.

According to UCU, pension cuts coming into force in April could see lecturers and university staff lose 35 per cent of their guaranteed retirement income. The union says this comes as pay has sunk by a quarter since 2009 due to inflation.

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A University of Bristol spokesperson called this week’s strike action “regrettable”.

They said: “As a University, we are proud of the way that we have worked with the local branch of UCU and the other trade unions to make things better for staff. We are open to continuing the conversation and being pro-active in addressing their concerns.

“During the strike action, we hope that most teaching and learning will proceed as usual but ask that students keep a close eye on their email for any last-minute changes to their timetable as academic colleagues do not have to inform us in advance if they are taking action. Libraries, study spaces, and wellbeing services remain open and available to students.

“We appreciate that some students may be worried about the impact of the dispute on their studies. If they have any concerns, we’re asking they raise these with their school office or personal tutor in the first instance.”

Jamie Melrose, president of UCU Bristol, said: “The reason we are still here is because we need to maintain pressure on our employers”

As he was picketing on Queens Avenue, one member of staff told Bristol24/7 that the feeling of those striking was one of “overwhelming sadness”.

Martin Parker, professor of organisation studies at the University of Bristol, said: “We are very conscious that students have undergone two years of very disruptive education as a result of the pandemic.

“Now this is being book-ended by a series of strikes and a really poor quality teaching experience – but that is something not any of us want to do. We want to make sure we get employers round the table.”

He added: “Strikes have been happening in various forms for the last five or six years now, but now they are coming to a head.”

Alice Williat (left) said casualisation is “endemic” in universities

This is the third instance of strike action this academic year and is part of nationwide protests from 67 higher education institutions this month.

Alice Williat spoke of the implications of casualisation which she says is “endemic” in universities.

The senior research associate in the School of Education said: “There are so many people here today whose working lives are constant job and fellowship applications – just trying to make sure that they don’t have breaks between contracts. The toll it takes on people’s mental health is incredibly worrying, and it is impacting people’s material lives as well.”

Strike action is set continue through the week with teach-outs and a further rally planned on Friday.

After picketing on campus, groups converged outside the Victoria Rooms to hear from speakers

‘Education is power’

Among those speaking was UCU president Vicky Blake

All photos: Rob Browne

Read more: ‘Repressive management of one of Bristol’s key institutions does not look good’

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