After a long trimester of missed classes, frustrated students, and overworked lecturers you would think senior management have rethought their decision, right? NO! Strike action will continue at GCU because, yet again, threat of compulsory redundancy has not been removed. From picket lines to funerals, today, November 12th, saw a tremendous turnout for solidarity.
Members of the EIS trade union will continue to take industrial action every Tuesday-Friday each week beginning November 17th until December 18th.
All four trade unions joined together on the picket line for another historic moment of solidarity. Members of Unite stood with their colleagues even though they are not facing threat. Simultaneously, students gathered outside of GCU’s Britannia Building from 8:45am to protest as a meeting between university court and management took place. This protest, organised by the GCU Student Solidarity Group, was in response to discovering that management have been lying to court about how much students learning has been impacted during the industrial action. It is baffling to even imagine lying about such a thing when a quick scroll on TikTok pulls up many videos of GCU students complaining about missed classes. Granted, not all programmes have been affected, and some have more so than others, but to flat out lie about how much damage and stress this is causing is absurd.
The group took things one step further and made a stand that anyone would find difficult to ignore. Led by a grim reaper with the principal’s face, a ‘funeral’ was held following the picket line and student protest. Hundreds of staff and students followed behind a coffin which contained ‘higher education’ and attended a service held outside the Britannia Building. Such an extreme display of action may seem ridiculous to some, but demonstrations like this are key to sparking the conversations. It is likely that management will continue to do what they have done best these past months and ignore what is going on at their doorstep, but seeing such a massive turnout at this stage gives hope that people will not back down and keep fighting for the cause.
It is with no doubt that students are, and will continue to be, extremely upset and frustrated with the strike action but please bear in mind why it is necessary. Treat staff members with patience as they navigate this difficult time.
If you have any concerns you would like to raise regarding industrial action, visit the Listening Hub located in the Campus Life Lounge (George Moore Building) or contact listeninghub@gcu.ac.uk
Image Credit: GCU Student Solidarity Group
