he above picket at Hebburn Campus was named on the UCU website as
“The winner of the first branch to report pickets up and running goes to
South Tyneside College“
(reported at http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=5395)
Branch Secretary, Jonathan Spink, had ensured that every entrance at both sites were covered and some of the pickets at the main site are below:
The pickets recived support from UNISON on the picket line as Merv Butler, Branch Secretary of South Tyneside local government branch visited pickets and sent this message:
“Good Luck with the strike action. Please convey the support of Unison to your members. You are the first into action on pay and pensions. I am sure others will follow. Best Wishes.”
Pickets had been buoyed by members refusing to cross the picket line on the day and the positive media coverage before the event:
Afterwards, some strikers from South Tyneside College attended the mass rally in Newcastle:
Further coverage from the day can be found athttp://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/education/lecturers_walk_out_in_pay_fight_1_3213125
and
