Video: Mark Murphy talks about the implications for students
University employees in Nottingham have been on the picket lines this week as they campaign for better pay conditions and say their students are behind the strike.
Today marks the second day of the strikes, yesterday saw lecturers standing outside the University of Nottingham and Trent campuses respectively.
we think this is simply insulting
Andreas Pieler is the vice chancellor of the University and College Union (UCU) Nottingham branch.
He said: “The main reason is that our salaries in real terms in 2009 have lost 14.5% of the value across the board for all members of staff.
“The ball is really in the court of the employers, we’ve only taken strike action as a matter of last resort.
“The offer of 1% rose to 1.1% and we think this is simply insulting.”
One group of people who might be suffering from the strikes are the students, who are missing out on lectures and revision sessions as they find themselves deep in exam season.
However Rick Simon, a committee member for the UCU says that the students are backing their lecturers striking.
He said: “They’ve always been supportive of lecturers and their demands because they know that satisfied lecturers are better teachers basically and they’ll get a better education if the workforce is happy and content with the conditions.”
Universities and Colleges employers association (UCEA) are known to be disappointed in the action taken because they believe their offer is a good one.
A Nottingham Trent University spokesperson said: “We anticipate it will be business as usual at Nottingham Trent University during the course of this national dispute – as such, we expect there to be minimal disruption.”
The University of Nottingham also commented on the strikes, and in a statement said: “In the event of any industrial action, academic Heads of Schools and professional services colleagues have arrangements in place, drawing on their past experience of similar industrial action, which avoid or minimise the impact on students.
“We would also like to reassure our undergraduates most of whom are currently sitting examinations. Whatever happens, no student will be disadvantaged by any industrial action.”
The university professors at both University of Nottingham and NTU will be back teaching tomorrow in the hope that their two days of action have not fallen on deaf ears.
