University of Stirling Staff will be striking in protest of a 50% pay deduction during the marking and assessment boycott. The strikes will be occurring during the university’s graduation ceremonies.
Following pay cuts and industrial action at other universities such as Dundee, Queen Margaret and Edinburgh, UCU Stirling members will strike on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week. Picket lines will be taking place on University of Stirling campus between 9-11am on each of these days.
The UCU offered to withdraw strikes in exchange for restoration of lost pay, but university management refused. A University spokesperson said that:
“marking and the facilitation of assessments form part of the contractual duties of teaching staff. Staff who are not fulfilling their contractual obligations will have part of their pay withheld.”
UCU Scotland official Mary Senior said:
“The very last thing staff want to do is take industrial action, but over ten years of pay being held down and worsening conditions has left us with no option.
“The principal at Stirling, Gerry McCormac, should stop trying to circumvent lawful industrial action short of strike and join the increasing number of principals and vice-chancellors calling for new, meaningful talks to resolve the dispute.”
Students wishing to express their solidarity are advised to attend the picket lines as well as their graduations.
Those who wish to sign the open letter to University management in support of the strikes can do so here.
Featured Image Credit: Andy Rain – BBC
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