1.6 million people Strike

An estimated 500 staff from the University of Surrey didn’t turn up to work yesterday (30^th November) as they were a part of the biggest public sector strike in 30 years.

The UCU and Unison along with 27 other trade unions voted to strike in response to the government’s pension reforms.

Thirty or so protestors, ranging from academics to administrative staff, braved the cold to form a picket line at entrances to the university on the morning of the strike.

While much of the group dispersed to attend a mass rally in Woking a small but dedicated contingent remained throughout the day handing out leaflets and speaking to passing students.

The University of Surrey student union supported the strike after an online poll found 60% of students in favour of strike action.

Throughout the day their support was felt by the protestors.  Sociology lecturer Rachel Cohen said: “Members of the Student Union have been going back and forth between the entrances of the university” and also noted that they had been serving tea and coffee throughout the morning. 

   Disability adviser and Surrey UCU joint chair Rob Fidler described the effect the governments scheme would have on university staff: “A current lecturer is looking to lose around £100,000 in a lifetime, new staff joining The University of Surrey today can expect to lose £350,000...people can’t survive on a state pension alone”.

Currently the average public sector state pension is around £5,600 a year, one of the lowest in Europe. “The recession was caused by bankers and politicians,” added Mr Fidler “it shouldn’t be paid for by the public”.        

Though campus was noticeably quieter throughout the morning many lectures proceeded as normal and academic facilities suffered little disruption.

Other universities were hit harder by the strike with the University of Sussex suffering extensive closures and the University of Brighton and Hove completely shut. Over 10,000 public sector workers and students marched through Brighton in  rallies that were mirrored in major cities across the UK.       

Elsewhere in Surrey 247 schools shut for the day while 5,000 Unison members working within local government were also expected to strike. The Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford remained open with around 100 union members striking. A similar number of Surrey police also staged a protest, forming a picket line outside their Guildford headquarters.

Emergency services were still available although at a reduced capacity.   

Prime minister David Cameron described the new pensions scheme offer as “very reasonable and fair”. Moreover, despite over 2 million public sector workers protesting and up to half a million pounds in output lost, Mr Cameron referred to the strike as being “a damp squib”.