After voting 83% in favour of taking industrial action, Newcastle UCU (University and College Union) members will strike throughout March 2025. The strikes days will increase weekly starting with striking for 2 days on the 4th of March and progressing up to 5 days in the final week of the month.
I believe students should support academics on strike as staff working conditions are student learning conditions. Many students may feel disheartened by lecturers striking, but there is nothing selfish about fighting for positive change for staff and students. A failure to support staff could result in poorer learning environments for students. University staff are striking to save their livelihoods and protect our degree programmes.
UCU General Secretary Jo Grady said that “…students and staff should not have to pay the price… for vice chancellors’ inability to manage finances”. I don't think the inability of Chris Day, Chair of Russell Group, to manage Newcastle University finances correctly should lead to lecturers being fired and degree courses being discontinued. Striking lecturers have encouraged students to support the strikes, encouraged to attend student-staff solidarity meetings and write to Chris Day about their concerns.
Information for this can be found on the student-staff solidarity Signal group chat and Newcastle UCU social media pages.
Students are also encouraged to sign an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson urging her to solve the nationwide crisis universities are facing. The marketisation of higher education under the previous Conservative Government has led to universities turning from places of educational excellence to places of egregious exploitation.
Students should join the staff against Newcastle University's shameful self-damaging reputation and urge the new Labour Government to address the dire situation UK Universities find themselves in.