The UCU have hit boiling point

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) Kingston branch are striking from the 1st -3rd December due to inequalities seen in employment and pay.

The UCU are protesting inequalities in pay between Black and minority ethnic staff compared to their white colleagues, the gender pay-gap, an excessive workload, and the casualisation of staff.

Rosie McNiece, Vice-Chair of the Kingston University, UCU branch said on Wednesday morning: “We are here today because we have had enough of the annihilation and the deterioration of our role and profession.”

The Kingston University's yearly contracted working hours are 37.5 hours, however, according to the Kingston UCU website, the average working hours for Higher education staff are 50+ hours, this has raised questions on whether this workload could negatively impact the learning of students.

Dr Bahare Afrahi, Course Director of entrepreneurship at the Kingston University Business school said on Wednesday: “Student learning has already been disrupted because our workload is terrible, we are all working 50+ hours a week, so the quality we would like to offer isn’t there.”

Student opinion on the protest has mainly been in favour, however, the Union of Kingston students have chosen to remain impartial in the debate until results of a strike ballot are made available, different to the National Union of students who have been very vocal in their support.

Sai Tunkara, 1st year Music Technology student said, I don’t mind at all if I miss a week of lectures if they are striking for a reason.

In response, Raj Jethwa, Chief executive of the University and Colleges employers’ Association (UCEA) said on the 16th November: “UCU members need to understand that any industrial action aimed at harming students is an unrealistic attempt to try to force all 146 employers to re-open the concluded 2021-22 national pay round.”

Both the UCU and UCEA have taken standpoints that they have the best interest of the students.

Kingston University, forensic science Professor and member of the UCU, Layla Renshaw said in conclusion on Wednesday, our working conditions are your learning conditions.