University lecturers strikes

How much does the average lecturer work?

I would guess that to teach a subject you have to be a lead in their field. I did web design and the lecturers knew nothing. Some of them had 2nd jobs outside uni.

I understand striking for pensions etc but for conditions? Must be hard working in a state of the art campus building, nice warm office and lecture hall/class.
Conditions doesn't refer to how comfy your chair is or how high they set the thermostat man. :lol:
No moral dilemma as far as I can see. How can you possibly resent anyone simply trying to defend their agreed contract terms?
 
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Conditions doesn't refer to how comfy your chair is or how high they set the thermostat man. :lol:
No moral dilemma as far as I can see. How can you possibly resent anyone simply trying to defend their agreed contract terms?

Maybe, but they're not getting shoved up a chimney either.
 
Neither do most careers, but does that mean people should sit back and accept less pay, more work and less pension without a fight, especially when what they are paying for is the poor financial decisions made years before they joined up?
So I'm not allowed to be angry and frustrated that this is harming my daughters future because it clashes with your political beliefs? Why the fuck can't they just let her use the library?
 
So I'm not allowed to be angry and frustrated that this is harming my daughters future because it clashes with your political beliefs? Why the fuck can't they just let her use the library?
You're allowed to be angry and frustrated, because we certainly f***ing are. But your anger needs to be aimed at the people who caused this - university management, and the board of the pension fund. Nobody goes on strike for a laugh, it's a last resort. If we carry on and allow them to fuck us over now they'll carry on doing it in future.
 
You're allowed to be angry and frustrated, because we certainly f***ing are. But your anger needs to be aimed at the people who caused this - university management, and the board of the pension fund. Nobody goes on strike for a laugh, it's a last resort. If we carry on and allow them to fuck us over now they'll carry on doing it in future.
So you don't think that stopping her going to the library is a step too far? When she's paid £50k for her degree on top of the thousands it's cost her parents? She's doing her final dissertation ffs after 4 years of hard work and this is not the first time it's happened.
 
So you don't think that stopping her going to the library is a step too far? When she's paid £50k for her degree on top of the thousands it's cost her parents? She's doing her final dissertation ffs after 4 years of hard work and this is not the first time it's happened.
I'm surprised she couldn't access the library. The Edinburgh University website page with information about the last round of strikes suggests that library and support services would remain open and be accessible as usual. Bad form if not.
 
The lecturers have already been on strike at my daughter's university - Brighton - although her own lecturers weren't on strike and her lectures went ahead.

She asked me for advice and of course I told her what she already knew. She must NEVER cross a picket line and should encourage her friends not to either.

One day she might be picketing herself and need to rely on others to have solidarity.
 
So you don't think that stopping her going to the library is a step too far? When she's paid £50k for her degree on top of the thousands it's cost her parents? She's doing her final dissertation ffs after 4 years of hard work and this is not the first time it's happened.

thats strange she could not get in library as support staff are generally not on strike as they are in a different union.
 
How else can you protest against your bosses messing with your terms and conditions? No one wants to lose pay by striking.

Quite so. Following the strikes towards the end of last year some were complaining that they were going to have their pay deducted before Christmas. They thought it was wrong that the organisations wouldn’t stagger the deductions over several months to make it easier for strikers to withdraw their labour.

I think it’s pragmatic that we revisit our pension terms if it looks like what we signed up to isn’t going to work. At the same time action is necessary if the pragmatism is taken advantage of.

Although I would be more supportive if the academics involved were more willing to get involved in issues that involve non-academic members of staff as well.
 
I'm surprised she couldn't access the library. The Edinburgh University website page with information about the last round of strikes suggests that library and support services would remain open and be accessible as usual. Bad form if not.
The last strike there was a picket line at the library.
How would you feel if in 5 years time your daughter had a job at the same University and staff were shafted again by pension and wage cuts?
I'd support her if she withdrew her labour but I wouldn't be happy if she stopped students from going to the library. She wouldn't do that anyway because she isn't a selfish twat.
 
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The last strike there was a picket line at the library.

I'd support her if she withdrew her labour but I wouldn't be happy if she stopped students from going to the library. She wouldn't do that anyway because she isn't a selfish twat.
It's disgraceful if people would physically not let her past to get in. Very disturbing if that's the case
 
Your last point is a little wide of the mark (being polite).

The conditions relate to ever increasing workloads, unmanageable student numbers, a trend towards being given targets of bringing in a certain amount of grant funding per year (usually unrealistic), engaging with industry, etc. All while ensuring that research outputs are met and teaching is of a high standard. Basically, academics have to be very good at and demonstrate outputs in four very distinct areas, pressures are increasing and benefits are being eroded.

In terms of working hours, it's very difficult to keep all of the plates spinning within what would be considered a reasonable working week.

Aye. Thats work all the time in some cases.
Conditions doesn't refer to how comfy your chair is or how high they set the thermostat man. :lol:
No moral dilemma as far as I can see. How can you possibly resent anyone simply trying to defend their agreed contract terms?

I do kind of resent the timing of it tbh. Niece is in uni at the moment and she says its put everyones studies in turmoil with a lot of attitudes from lecturers of unlucky
 
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Aye. Thats work all the time in some cases.


I do kind of resent the timing of it tbh. Niece is in uni at the moment and she says its put everyones studies in turmoil with a lot of attitudes from lecturers of unlucky
Aye. Thats work all the time in some cases.


I do kind of resent the timing of it tbh. Niece is in uni at the moment and she says its put everyones studies in turmoil with a lot of attitudes from lecturers of unlucky
Your first point isn't convincing.

Your second is understandable, and much like @bernardbresslaw's case, it's disheartening if the general attitude towards students is as you describe.
 
Your first point isn't convincing.

Your second is understandable, and much like @bernardbresslaw's case, it's disheartening if the general attitude towards students is as you describe.

Dont have to convince anyone. Anyone with a job where its a struggle day to day to keep head above water all the while working 60 hours in some weeks will know. They are not unique by a long shot. How much do these lecturers/professors earn?
 

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