Strike Day One

Published: 1st December, 2021

Today saw the beginning of our three-day strike. It was a chilly morning, and the rain came, but the weather did not dampen our spirits. At the picket locations there was music, dancing and lots of discussions about why we are on strike. All of which was streamed live to our virtual picket.

This dispute is personal to every single member of this union. We all have our own reasons, experiences and stories to share.

Leicester UCU members were joined on the pickets by Leicester and District TUC, local councillors, and students.

At 10am each day we have fascinating teach out speakers planned. Today kicked off with a session about work and working conditions in our University, delivered stoically through the wind and rain by Fuk Ying Tse, Nik Hammer and Matteo Ciccognani.

Our lively rally across campus culminated at the Fielding Johnson Building where branch officers, reps, and members had their chance to speak about what the Four Fights means to them. Discussion turned to the precarious working conditions, and particularly those which impact teaching fellows:

• Fixed-term contracts
• No job security
• Classed as “academic-related” and not academic staff
• No chance of promotion

Share your reasons for striking on social media using #WhyImStriking and share your messages of solidarity by contacting branch comms officer Cara Dobbing (cara@uculeicester.org.uk), and also on social media using #FourFightsLeicester #OneOfUsAllOfUs

Join us for the rest of this strike. Full schedule. Strike FAQs. See you on the pickets!