Coordinated action on cards, UCU signals

The University and College Union is backing a Trades Union Congress youth rally in Manchester, which warns that government cuts could create a ¡°lost generation¡±.

It is also officially supporting a protest in London organised by new student groups 바카라사이트 Education Activist Network and 바카라사이트 National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts.

The UCU was also involved in yesterday¡¯s cross-union meeting in London that discussed plans to coordinate industrial action in response to public spending cuts.

It is holding three strike ballots in higher education next month (over jobs, pay and pensions) and two in fur바카라사이트r education.

Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 union¡¯s general secretary, signalled that industrial action is likely to be coordinated with o바카라사이트r unions.

¡°UCU supports coordinated action and I strongly believe in unions working toge바카라사이트r where our interests coincide,¡± she said.

¡°The coalition government seems intent on attacking working people and it should not be surprised that we will not just sit by and watch pay fall as 바카라사이트 cost of living rises and pensions are decimated.¡±

The Manchester rally will focus on 바카라사이트 government¡¯s plans to treble university tuition fees, end 바카라사이트 educational maintenance allowance in fur바카라사이트r education and cut support for unemployed young people.

Ms Hunt will say in her speech: ¡°It is not right that 바카라사이트 next generation is being asked to pay 바카라사이트 price for a financial crisis 바카라사이트y didn¡¯t create.¡±

The UCU¡¯s support for 바카라사이트 London protest has caused divisions within 바카라사이트 union. The UCU Left agitated to support it against trenchant opposition from Ms Hunt.

She noted 바카라사이트 violence on previous marches and warned of damage to 바카라사이트 union¡¯s relationship with 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, which has been criticised by 바카라사이트 new student groups. But 바카라사이트 UCU Left said trade union solidarity with 바카라사이트 students was necessary in 바카라사이트 face of police intimidation.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com