Between November 25 and December 4, many members of the School of Law participated in a strike against several issues related to pensions, pay, and working conditions.
The Law Department’s participation in the strike was amazing. The long hours on the picket line brought many of us together, helping to create a sense of community as new friendships were established and old ones cemented. We were encouraged to find out that many of our students were extremely supportive of the industrial action, especially when hearing about the BAME and gender pay gap, the casualization of labour, the 50-60 hour workload, and, of course, the 17% decrease in salaries and the assault on our pensions. They realize that the marketization of the universities and corporate managerial models that are being introduced into higher education ultimately hurt them as much as they hurt us. This is why we were not surprised that students were enthusiastic to participate in the occupation of the Department’s lobby and asked how they can support the struggle. Simply put, they understood that the strike is not against the university, but for a better university. It is for better education and better working conditions for those planning to enter the workforce as well as those already in it.
While statistics are important to quantify the problems in our day to day work, the personal conversations with colleagues were even more stark: excessive and overburdening workloads (including over holiday periods), early career scholars racked with student debt with the prospect of secure housing a fantasy. Many were new to the pickets but found it incredibly fun, educative and comforting to see their colleagues organising collectively. In withdrawing our labour from our employer, we were freed up to spend time and energy on reclaiming our university. The hours spent picketing, educating and organising were a good reminder of what can be achieved when staff come together. The teach-in in the Law School brought students, academics and professional services staff together to share concerns and insights about the strike, and remind us what university spaces might be.
Another strike might be around the corner and these are some issues we wanted to flag in order to increase our impact in the regrettable event that we will find ourselves on the picket line once again.
1) Staff members who have not joined the union should seriously consider doing so, since this struggle is just as much about us as it is about the future of our students and future generations. The strike is a chance to improve our working conditions, while reducing the isolation felt by many university staff today - join us!
2) It is never too early to speak with students about the issues at hand, explaining to them that our success will impact the quality of their education as well as the working conditions both inside and outside the university. Students often appreciate learning more about the working conditions of their staff, as it helps them understand how the university works, or doesn’t.
3) Begin a conversation with our PhD students, asking them to join the union (it is free) since they are the ones who will be most affected by current trajectories, not least of which is the marketization of universities. This conversation is also a chance for PhD students and staff to learn more about each other’s experiences.
4) Urge striking staff – particularly senior scholars – to come to the picket line, at the very least on the days they are supposed to teach.
5) Begin a conversation with members of staff from CCLS (since unionization density there is very low), asking them to join forces with the department.
6) Approach staff who have managerial roles, including deans, associate deans, and department heads to join the strike.
This is a struggle not only about our working conditions but about the future of higher education. It is a struggle for a better future.