Clive Walder, Birmingham South Socialist Party
Support staff at the University of Birmingham took two further days of strike action on 13 and 14 November to follow up their strike during freshers’ week. The mood of the workers, members of Unison, is still determined. ACAS has been involved, as have lawyers who are trying to determine whether the £700 payment offered to staff to accept the disputed changes to terms and conditions is legal.
The university management is pleading poverty and claiming that it is the best it can offer, despite having vast reserves. The vice-chancellor and head of HR were challenged by the union branch secretary as they left a meeting on 14 November, and were subject to some impromptu negotiation in the presence of the pickets!
Strikers were pleased to get support from a Labour councillor – Birmingham council workers would want him to oppose the council’s continuing cuts as well!
