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From The Socialist newspaper, 18 September 2019
Nottingham College UCU - more strike action planned
Nottingham college strike, Sept 2019, photo Gary Freeman (Click to enlarge)
Gary Freeman, Nottingham Socialist Party
On 11 September Nottingham College UCU strikers from various sites around the city along with trade unionists and some students congregated for a rally after the morning pickets at the Brian Clough statue in the city.
It was to show their determination to defeat the college employer's draconian contract - involving savage cuts in terms and conditions and with pay cuts for 20% of teachers.
The strike followed a one-day strike on 28 July (UCU's 'Day of Yearning' as opposed to the College's 'Day of Learning') and a further 14 days of strikes are planned - 19 and 20 September, three days the following week, four days the week after, and all five days the following week.
In July 2017, John van de Laarschot, the Chief Executive of the college had written an article that appeared on the Nottingham Post (NottinghamshireLive) website - an article that brought to mind the attitude of Margaret Thatcher.
It was headlined: "Our students need tough love, says boss of Nottingham's biggest college" Clearly, "tough" is also being applied to the staff.
This from a Chief Executive whose salary in 2017-18 was £207,000 (Education and Skills Funding Agency data) and where the college also employs a 'Principal'. Having both roles is unknown in a Further Education college, according to strikers.
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In The Socialist 18 September 2019:
What we think
Ditch the Tories - and austerity
Trade union movement must put its stamp on swirling events
Climate change
Climate protests: which way forward after 20 September?
Climate change: what's socialism got to do with it?
Socialist Students
How students can fight and win
Socialist Party feature
Northern Ireland: Campaign mounts over historic sexual abuse allegations cover-up
Socialist Party workplace news
PCS general secretary candidate: unions must mobilise to drive out Boris
Strike back to stop bullying Royal Mail bosses
Lincolnshire health visitors strike boost
DVSA strike - employer asks for talks
Nottingham College UCU - more strike action planned
PCS members at BEIS maintain just fightback
Ilford: strike forces school management to back down
International socialist news and analysis
Violence against women in South Africa
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
South Yorkshire defeats fire cuts
Donate to help us move our press by October
March planned to save Bewdley Fire Station
London: packed public meeting discusses political crisis
Opinion
Peterloo - fighting for democracy and a better life
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