ucu.org.uk/strikeforuss

 

Speakers include:

• TUC Regional Secretary, Beth Farhat
• UCU Newcastle University branch Vice Chair, Matt Perry
• UCU Head of Higher Education, Paul Bridge
• Unite Regional Officer, Dave Telford
• UCU Durham University, Sarah Elton

Assemble at Grey’s Monument from 12pm. Rally starts at 12.30pm.

 

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WHY WE ARE STRIKING

We are university staff and members of the University and College Union (UCU) and we are taking strike action to defend our right to a fair pension. University
employers want to end guaranteed pensions and reduce retirement income for all.

 

MEMBERS STRIKING IN OUR REGION

• Durham University
• Newcastle University
• The Open University

 

PENSIONS UNDER ATTACK

University staff have always accepted pay levels that are lower than comparably skilled professions, partly because we had a decent pension. Now our right to a well-earned retirement is under attack.

 

WHAT EMPLOYERS’ HARDLINE PROPOSALS WOULD MEAN

• Final pensions would depend on how the stock market performs not on contributions.
• A reduction in retirement benefits by between 20% and 40% depending on grade and length of service. A typical lecturer stands to lose around £10,000 a year.
• The worst pensions in the education sector, far worse than those available to both school teachers and staff in ‘new’ universities.
• A recruitment and retention crisis as staff seek better financial security elsewhere.

 

STRIKING IS ALWAYS A LAST RESORT

No education professional wants to strike but we also deserve long-term security and our students deserve staff who are able to focus fully on the job. We have called for extended negotiations with the employers but, disappointingly, talks ended with the changes being imposed.

Staff feel angry and betrayed but even now we call on university leaders to work with us to find a solution and avoid widespread disruption for our students.

 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR STRIKE

UCU members voted overwhelmingly for this action on the highest turnout this union has seen. We have been left with no choice but to take strike action and to withdraw the goodwill that the university relies upon but that has been taken for granted.

 

Stand with us and support our strike for a fair pension.

Read the latest on the USS strike action: ucu.org.uk/strikeforuss

 

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Are you a student at Durham, Newcastle or the Open University?

To help avoid the strikes and protect staff pensions please write to your university asking them to resume national negotiations with UCU immediately.

Online form to contact Durham University

Online form to contact Newcastle University

Online form to contact The Open University

 

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Are you a parent of a child studying at Durham or Newcastle University?

To help avoid the strikes and protect staff pensions please write to the head of your child’s university asking them to resume national negotiations with UCU immediately.

Online form to contact Durham University 

Online form to contact Newcastle University

 

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