Tuesday 22^nd and Thursday 24^th saw a nationwide strike by lecturers from the UCU union protesting attacks on their pensions and higher education. Here at Manchester Metropolitan University members of Communist Students were at the picket lines on Thursday morning, to show solidarity with lecturers in their ongoing struggle against management. The MET, being a former Polytechnic college, was only on strike on the Thursday. The mood on the picket lines was generally positive with many lecturers feeling optimistic about the strike. Every entrance to every building was covered by two or more lecturers, accompanied in many cases by students showing support for the predicament lecturers are facing. Members of CS decided to go round the numerous building to see what the atmosphere was like around campus.

The attacks being waged by management were the main talking point on the pickets with many lecturers showing their complete disdain for how they are being treated. Managements handling of the strike has been very chaotic with many lecturers claiming that their tactics have, in fact, backfired and encouraged more people to strike. Vice-Chancellor John Brookes allegedly sent a letter that informed members of staff of their duty to students and how the strike was undemocratic. According to one lecturer I spoke too this had the opposite effect intended and that lecturers remained resolved to fighting managements attempts to cut their pensions along with their ‘Reform’ plans for the University. Although some lecturers did cross picket lines they were few and far between according to most people I spoke to.

What of the students? Well the main issue has been, and remains, the fact that very few were aware that a strike was even taking place. More than half of those approaching were unaware any such action was taking place and those that did were unaware that going into University would be a problem. This made for interesting exchanges as many, when informed of what was happening turned away and claimed they agreed with the lecturers. Of course quite a few walked past quickly, and having done so then proclaimed that ‘the lecturers shouldn’t be doing this’. But none of those opposed to the action stuck around long enough for a debate on the issue, merely issuing nonsensical statements. This appeared to be the pattern as we walked around campus. Many lecturers were upbeat despite this and said that today was only the start of their campaign and was mainly centred on raising awareness of their struggle.

After the picket lines finished around 12pm, lecturers students and supporters diverged on All Saints Park for an afternoon rally attended by around 400 people. For once the sun was out in Manchester and one speaker proclaimed that even the weather was on our side! The rally consisted of numerous speeches from staff, trade unionists and students. A running theme was the notion of the need for the public sector workers to link up and oppose the cuts being implemented. Despite the usual dose of banker bashing the speeches were generally good with a couple standing out, one from a lecturer at Salford University talking about the importance of education certainly seemed to strike a chord with many in the crowd.

While the strike was largely low key it will have gone some way toward its main aim, of raising awareness of the lecturers’ struggle. Many who were previously unaware are now hopefully taking notice of how University management treats its’ staff. If there is continued action by the UCU and lecturers we must work to deepen the solidarity from students, and the wider working class.

Liam Conway