Joining many other lecturers across the region, UCU members picketed outside of Carlisle College campus to show their anger about pay. Thursday 24th April 2008 saw a massive show of strength across the public sector and with picket lines outside most colleges, these got media attention.
The Carlisle College picket featured on BBC Look North at 6.30p.m. and UCU Branch Secretary, Terry Jones, spoke about the crisis in the profession with low pay impacting on both the recruitment and retention of lecturing staff.
Judy Bloxham, UCU Branch Chair at Carlise College reports that the picket line “had good support from staff and students were supportive by not turning in. The Royal Mail agreed not to cross the picket line and so they didn’t deliver and the Fire Brigade were due to do a demo of cutting people out of cars and they agreed not to come as we were on strike, so we had support from the FBU. Border and BBC TV turned up as did the News and Star local paper. And we had plenty of hoots of support from passing motorists.”
The Branch received good coverage in the press both on the day of the strike and in the lead-up. Whilst this was often alongside NUT coverage, media attention was drawn by picketing outside the College.
Media coverage at:
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.93319
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.91922
http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=825924
http://www.fleetwoodtoday.co.uk/latest-north-west-news/Schools-to-close-as-teachers.3998422.jp
http://www.timesandstar.co.uk/1.90222
