UCL-UCU: Strike discussion meeting and report on first day

The strike discussion meeting will be on Monday 06 February, 1-2pm. Please register in advance to receive a zoom link.

This will be an informal meeting where colleagues will have the opportunity to share their experiences of the action, reflect on discussions in departments, and ask questions. 

We also need to plan the next steps in our dispute, especially the strike action on Thursday and Friday (09 & 10 Feb) next week. So please come and bring colleagues, your own ideas, and questions.

There will also be a Slido to raise questions.

1 February Strike and Demo Report

Yesterday morning we were picketing alongside our colleagues in the IWGB, who began a noisy and effective picket of the front gate at 7am. UCL itself was initially very quiet, but built up after 9am. Over 40 staff and school students congregated on the child-friendly picket on the IOE concourse. Reports from around the UK were of high attendance on picket lines.

We picketed until around 10:30am, when members assembled at the junction of Malet Street, joined by banners and delegations from UCU branches across London to march to the main demonstration at Portland Place.

SOAS and London Met Unison branches also joined in. Students from SOAS came with a sound system. There was a large group from the British Museum waving PCS flags, and the march itself was led by over 100 school teachers waving NEU flags. 

The main demonstration saw over 40 thousand strikers, supporters and children march on Whitehall for a rally – as has been covered across news networks. The march was nearly four times as big as the NEU expected, stretching from Portland Place to Whitehall. The rally at the end was addressed by all participating unions, and speakers included UCU general secretary Jo Grady and our own branch president.

UCL UCU Executive Committee

www.ucl.ac.uk/ucu

@ucl_ucu