More from Middlesex Philosophy occupation

The latest from the Middlesex University occupation, including activities and discussions this weekend.

Solidarity beats Westminster Uni victimisation

Westminster University management’s attempt to victimise activist Simon Hardy over his part in March’s anti-cuts occupation was defeated today after Westminster students and lecturers protested outside. (We were joined by a handful of non-Westminster supporters, including one NCAFC activist who had come all the way from Brighton!)

Chants of “Workers and students unite and fight” and “They say cut back, we say fight back” from the street outside could be heard in the board room. All ‘charges’ against Simon were promptly dropped.

The lesson, as with the Sussex Six, is that solidarity can win.

UCU day of action: reports from the picket lines

Reports from a variety of colleges and universities updated as we receive more. Whether you’re an education worker, a student or neither, if you have a report from a picket line or demo post it here as a comment or email it to againstfeesandcuts@gmail.com (pictures also welcome!)

Thousands of lecturers strike tomorrow

Lecturers at four universities and eleven FE colleges will be on strike tomorrow (for the list see the UCU website) against cuts.

Demonstration in London – May 5
Assemble 1pm, King’s College London (The Strand)

Leeds students vote no to scabbing on lecturers

Students at Leeds University have voted down a student union referendum on the following:
“Should LUU oppose industrial action on campus that negatively impacts on the education of students?”
– in other words, should it scab on lecturers?

The vote was 891 to 717. A Leeds student activists commented:

“I’m very happy that Leeds students voted to defend their own interests and those of staff, and didn’t violate the principle of unions by opposing another union.
“To LUU, I’d say that any move to oppose strike action would be against the interests and the wishes of your members.”

New Labour tries to block teachers’ test boycott

A story from the school sector that will interest many FE and HE activists, taken from Solidarity. Support the NUT!

Primary school head teachers, members of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) and National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) will boycott the SATs tests due on 10-13 May.

Lambeth College fights cuts

UCU and Unison members at Lambeth College are fighting plans by their management for £3.5 million in cuts – which will mean up to a hundred teaching and support staff losing their jobs – and a much worse education for students and service for the local community.

Manchester dayschool on 15 May

The NCAFC will be sending a speaker to the Manchester Education Activists Network dayschool on Saturday 15 May.

More shortly. For more information email caitriona.rylance@student.manchester.ac.uk

Fight to save Philosophy at Middlesex!

Late on Monday 26 April, staff in Philosophy at Middlesex University in London were informed that the University executive are to close all Philosophy programmes: undergraduate, postgraduate and MPhil/PhD.

Lambeth UNISON branch official support

Please read below the official communication sent today to NCAFC members and general public:

Hi Comrades,

Lambeth UNISON has voted to affiliate to the National Campaign against Fees and Cuts and work with NCAFC to fight for workers and students against government attacks on education. Lambeth UNSON represents support workers at Lambeth College, who are fighting alongside brothers and sisters in the UCU against a huge plan of job and course cuts.

We would like to work with you to launch a student and worker campaign at the college and discuss how we can build solidarity for other universities and colleges. Some of the ideas for joint work are listed below but we would welcome ideas for other initiatives.

• Joint meetings at Lambeth College
• Producing joint propaganda against fees and cuts
• Contacting other trade union branches to encourage
  them to affiliate to NCAFC and fight together in colleges
  and universities

In Solidarity,

Ruth Cashman

Steward, West Norwood Library & Assistant Branch Secretary