First of ten days of planned strike action by Bristol University staff

Staff at Bristol University are standing in solidarity on the picket line once more in protest at “savage pension cuts” and “unfair conditions”.

Monday saw union members turn out for the first of a planned ten days of strike action as part of an ongoing dispute between the University and Colleges Union (UCU) and higher education employers.

Those on strike in Bristol join thousands of staff from some 60 universities across the country taking a stand against pension cuts that unions say could knock up to half off the retirement income of a new lecturer and risk putting employees at risk of hardship in their old ages

UCU representatives say they submitted a proposal for ending the pension dispute, in which both members and employers would pay a little bit more for the time being to maintain pension scheme benefits, but have accused employers of “dragging their heels” and “dismissing the suggestions out of hand”.

Bristol University says is it disappointed to have reached the point where industrial action is going ahead but that bosses respect the right of union colleagues to act.

University of Bristol UCU branch president Dr Jamie Melrose said: ‘Strike action is a last resort, but universities’ continued collective refusal to address these issues has meant UCU members at Bristol and across the UK are prepared to take strike action to get employers to come back to the negotiating table.

‘We deeply regret that employers have not fundamentally budged from their position in the negotiations. In the face of savage cuts to staff pensions, for example, decried as completely unnecessary by pensions experts, we are fighting back.”

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Bristol University and Colleges Union members are striking over pension cuts and ‘unfair’ conditions – photo Robert Browne

Bristol UCU members say they are also fighting for:

• Fairer working conditions for staff
• An end to the ubiquitous use of precarious short-term contracts for teaching staff
• Pay equality for women and Black and minority ethnic staff
• An end to falling real-term wages and unmanageable workloads

Monday saw the first of ten days of strike action – photo: Betty Woolerton

A university spokesperson told Bristol24/7: “We have been trying hard to avoid this and are very disappointed that we have reached a point where industrial action is going ahead. However, we respect the right of our union member colleagues to act where they feel strongly about issues that affect them.

“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 proactive in addressing their concerns.”

It is hoped that most teaching will proceed as usual during the strike action but students are asked to keep an eye on their emails for any last-minute changes to their timetable.

The spokesperson added: “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.”

Unions plan to hold the ten days of strike action over a four-week period throughout February and March. Details are available via: www.bristol.ac.uk/students/updates/industrial-action/

Main photo: Robert Browne

Read more: Bristol University staff and students stand in solidarity as strike begins

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