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From The Socialist newspaper, 30 October 2019
Uni workers' pay and pension strike ballot
photo Steve Score (Click to enlarge)
We are waiting for the result of the University and College Union (UCU) strike ballot. The union is asking its members in universities two questions. Will you strike for your pay? Will you strike for your pension?
The ballots closed on 30 October. The employers have broken their pension promise. They want to jack staff contributions up from 8.8% of pay to 9.6%.
Real-term pay has shrunk by 21% in a decade. Workers already voted to strike over pay earlier this year. But in that ballot, they didn't meet the threshold in the Tories' anti-union laws.
Bea Gardner is the Postgraduate Research rep for the UCU at Southampton University. She spoke to the Socialist, in a personal capacity, and praised the support the union has had from Socialist Students.
"Socialist Students interviewed staff and plastered what they have said on posters around campus. They have also been collecting signatures from students pledging to support the strike."
- See socialistparty.org.uk for updates
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The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
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In The Socialist 30 October 2019:
What we think
Anti-austerity, socialist policies can be a winning formula
News
Tories out now. Bin Boris. Corbyn can win with socialist policies!
39 migrants found dead in Essex lorry container
Wall Street Crash
The 1929 Wall Street Crash: When the capitalist system was on its knees
Workplace news
PCS union election: For a fighting democratic general secretary
PCS: Support Marion Lloyd - a history of workers' struggle and a programme for the future
McDonald's - Striking to end low pay
London - 'autumn of discontent'
RMT election: Fight the cuts, vote for Jared Wood
Uni workers' pay and pension strike ballot
Butterfields
How working-class tenants beat Gentrification
Black history
Black Liberation... Only possible through socialist struggle
Obituary - Bob Lee: 1954 - 2019
International socialist news and analysis
Socialist Party reports and campaigns
Enfield North socialists lobby candidate stitch-up
Donate to fund the fightback at Socialism 2019
Chile protests - London solidarity rally
Reader's opinion
Film reviews: Sorry We Missed You by Ken Loach
TV: The Accident - Will capitalism be exposed in upsetting, true-to-life drama?
Opinion: Labour Party is structured to block left councillors
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2019