Maggie Fricker, President of Southampton and South West Hampshire Trades Council
A lively University and College Union (UCU) picket line took place across Southampton Solent University on the first of two planned strike days.
Members are united against being moved to a wholly owned subsidiary of the university, voting by 93% for strike action.
This is ‘fire and rehire’ by another name, as staff have been told they will be sacked if they don’t accept the transfer under worse terms and conditions. In particular the inferior new pension scheme would create uncertain income in retirement, with the potential loss of £10,000 a year.
Yacht design students, in particular, joined their lecturers in common struggle. They were incensed by yet another attack on staff and the impact it would have on their studies, putting the blame firmly on the vice chancellor.
Pickets were also joined by the trades council, and members of UCU and Unison from across Hampshire who face similar attacks in the pipeline.
The money saved at staff expense will not cover the financial shortfall, and staff are well aware of the need to make a stand against this or face further attacks down the line.
There was generalised anger at the cost-of-living crisis and Labour’s failure to support public sector workers. We must demand fully funded higher education both for staff and our students – not just in our city but across the country.
