07 March 2006

Striking lecturers cancel teaching in post-1992 universities

A nationwide strike by academics meant that teaching was cancelled at new universities across the UK today.

NATFHE – The University & College Lecturers’ Union, says that post-1992 universities and higher education colleges were forced to close their doors to students as a result of the 24-hour strike.

Lecturers, researchers and academic-related staff will tomorrow begin an ongoing assessment boycott which will mean they refuse to cover colleagues’ work, mark students' work, or take part in the exam process.

NATFHE members are angry that the employers have reneged on public promises to use new government funding – and the extra billions from top-up fees - to improve pay.

NATFHE submitted a three-year pay claim for 23% to address years of declining pay for academics – their salaries have fallen by 40% in real terms over the past 20 years. University employers failed to come up with a pay offer and refused to hold unconditional talks with the unions. For NATFHE, striking was a last resort.

Members of the Association of University Teachers have held parallel action in the older universities.

The unions’ call for better pay for academics has been supported by 120 MPs.

Roger Kline, NATFHE’s head of universities, said:

‘Every report that we’ve received from members today said that teaching was stopped at new universities. Lecturers have formed strong picket lines across the country and institutions were closed.

‘NATFHE has sent the university employers a clear message to tell the truth about academic pay and make a fair pay offer before further action closes down our universities once again. From tomorrow onwards, our members start their assessment boycott which will be equally well supported and equally as effective.’

ENDS

Contacts
Trevor Phillips: 020-7520 1032/07773-796 882
Vicky Wilks: 020-7520 3207/07970-383 995

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