London Midland Overtime Ban

[EXTspotter]

Down here, there was about 3 people on the picket line and the university nor the students union really cares much. The union meekly "supported" the strinke but nothing has really happened, only 43 of the 2500 staff were on strike supposedly, but there have been no lecture cancellations from it. This is the University of Surrey btw.

[Ameecher]

University of Surrey, £9000 tuition fees coming their way.

[Dave]

University of Surrey, £9000 tuition fees coming their way.

That's alright. Cliquey nasty kids like EXTSpotter have no complaints about that sort of thing.

[EXTspotter]

Yeah, but what can I do about it? As it is I am lucky to not have to pay those fees, however I am not saying that charging £9000 is right. Simultaneously with government spending reducing, the universities have to charge more to continue to provide the same level of service. The way the university acted is quite cliquey, however if prospective students have a problem with that, then they can choose to go somewhere else. If the fees are unsustainable against the number of applications (most courses go to clearing here anyway), then obviously over time that would have to be remedied. For the education I get, £27000 over the length of the course isn't bad when compared to other places worldwide, and will probably translate to a much greater overall increase in lifetime earnings, even with the very large initial amount of debt (which I may like to add I do not want to accrue, however that I have accepted is just how things are).

[Kevo00]

Oddly enough, I am on strike today, but that is related to the University Superannuation Scheme closing its final salary scheme to new members. Somewhat reluctantly on strike though, because I know that strikes rarely work in the long term.

And I'm glad that 80% of the students at my uni are supporting you guys.

Although it isn't just about the pension, its also about long term job security in higher education isn't it?

No, this strike is just about the pension. Although I believe there is the possibility of more strikes about long term job security in HE, as we will soon be asked to vote on action on that too. Which I would support more fully, given that my contract ends next April and has little chance of being renewed, and not because of issues relating to my own performance. At the moment I'd be happy just to have a job next year, never mind retiring.

The main problem in HE seems to be mismanagement by kleptocrats at the top of the system who think its ok to pay themselves wages into the hundreds of thousands yet totally mismanage the resources of the institution. I've no problem with management rewarding themselves for success with large wages when the uni is successful in what is a very competitive market, but like in the banking sector, rewards for failure are sickening.

[supermop]

9000 quid tuition sounds pretty quaint to me...

[Dave]

This is STILL ongoing which is causing havoc elsewhere. Crewe best example... VT I was on fairly wedged as far as Crewe. Then come all passengers for Brum from Liverpool off another VT service and the thing is dangerously overcrowded.

Poor show.