University College Union(UCU) staff in Cardiff University are striking for nearly two weeks with the support from Students’ Union.
They are striking for a better education system for both the students and the staff. The lecturers even arrange some workshops for students who supported them focusing on different issues including pensions, one on pay, casualization, equality and and workloads.
On Thursday the staff on strike have a teach-out workshop about gender, class and sexuality in Main Hall, Cathays Community centre. The lecturer Emma Remold is talking about gender discrimination and teaching how to make a skirt of gender issues.
On Thursday the staff on strike have a teach-out workshop about gender, class and sexuality in Main Hall, Cathays Community centre. The lecturer Emma Remold is talking about gender discrimination and teaching how to make a skirt of gender issues.
Two students from social science joined the workshop, said they did not completely understand what strike was really about but they wanted to support their lecturer.
Ella, third year of English Literature said, “ It is ridiculous that I will not get compensation. On top of that, you will miss out on tutorial times, extra time we can meet them, it trickles down from the top. If they are treated badly they are not able to do the job with their full potential. And we are gonna suffer under that. They are doing the things they are supposed to do.’’
She also said, “I literally have all my seminar teachers sitting down with me and be like look I am going to strike next week and these are the reasons I am striking. And I completely agree with it. But you look at other schools with heavily academic routine subject like biology. Students in that kind of major get a majority work to do, massive research. So they do not want to do that.”
Natalia , third year of Journalism and politics said, “ We also pay more attention to things like this. We do humanity subjects, we are far more touched and empathetic people and better understand why they have to do what they are doing, understand the way they have been treating.”
Faaizaa, first year of English Language and Literature said she attended a rally to find out more and heard from workers first hand how it affects them and how by striking they hope to get a responses from authority.
“ We don’t get examined on the work we missed, so I am quite glad I don’t have to attend some course I don’t like. I have been around other students who feel it is a waste of their money and time.”
Martin, researcher associate, said, “This strike is really different compared to last time. Last time it was not about precarious the work, did not get over the 50 percent of the participation and vote. This time is about pension, equality and precarious work. It is a far big issue. I think it is effective. Not all students support but we got support from Students union this time. It will be great when students start asking questions instead of thinking about passing the exam.”