There are an issue over-pay and working conditions, which leads to a strike at the University of Chester.
Until Friday (December 3), there will be picket lines outside the main university entrance on Parkgate Road and at satellite campuses.
Speakers include UCU president-elect Janet Farrar, the North West Trade Union Council, UNISON, Save Our NHS, and UCU Chester.
Last month, UCU members at 58 universities across the UK voted for strike action in two separate ballots, one on pension cuts and one on pay and working conditions.
The University of Chester is one of 21 institutions where employees strike over pay and working conditions.
UCU claims staff pay has fallen by 20 per cent after twelve years of below-inflation pay offers.
As a means of resolving the pay dispute, it has demanded a pay increase of £2,500 for all employees, a reduction in the workload, pay equity, and contract security.”
If this doesn’t happen, we will take further action in the New Year, it says.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘It is deplorable that staff have been forced into retaking industrial action.
“‘We are grateful to all the students who are supporting staff taking industrial action because they understand that staff working conditions are student learning conditions.
“Vice-chancellors now need to concentrate on asking themselves why strikes have become an annual occurrence and seek to resolve this dispute to avoid more needless disruption to learning.
“If they continue to ignore the modest demands of staff, then we will be forced to start further strikes, which even more branches will join.”
Last week, Chester University’s spokesperson stated that it would be open as usual on the proposed dates and minimize its students’ disruption.
They proceeded: “Accordingly, the University and College Union is striking at 58 universities and colleges, including the University of Chester, until December 3.
“On the proposed dates, the University will remain open as usual, and the University will do everything in its power to diminish the disruption to its students and secure that students receive the support they need.
“We anticipate that most teaching-learning activities will go as planned and therefore students should attend their lectures as usual. There is no expectation that proposed strike action will affect our students’ accommodations or other student services.”
