EIS-ULA Standing Strong

NOW IS THE TIME FOR ACTION Real terms pay cut since 2009

Five Days of Action and Standing Strong!

With five days of solid strike action, EIS-ULA members at ENU, UWS, Aberdeen and Strathclyde Universities and the Glasgow School of Art have sent a clear message to UCEA and the employers it represents that University lecturers are no longer willing to tolerate the years of real terms pay decline. Despite the wintry conditions, members have turned out to ensure that picket lines have been strong across the country.

And this action is making a difference! On Tuesday, 25th February, Tom Keegan, the EIS-ULA President, addressed a UCU rally that had a strong ULA contingent at the Scottish Parliament. Tom, as part of a joint EIS ULA-UCU delegation with EIS Assistant Secretary David Belsey, then met with Richard Lochhead, (Minister for FE & HE) to share members’ concerns.

The delegation highlighted the intransigence of the Management Side and its refusal to attempt to resolve this dispute or even to engage meaningfully with the Trade Union Side – a clear breach of the underlying principles of the Scottish Fair Work Framework. The Minister was urged to exert his influence on the Scottish Universities in a bid to encourage the Management Side back to negotiations to resolve this dispute.

Although five EIS-ULA branches secured a mandate to take industrial action, the solidarity of the union has been evident through the donations to the Voluntary Solidarity Levy and the messages of support from those who have been prevented from taking action by the Trade Union Act.

This level of support has also been echoed by our sister trade unions across Scotland. Larry Flanagan, our General Secretary, has highlighted our action at the recent TUC General Council meeting and has had informal discussions with UCU General Secretary, Joe O’Grady throughout the strike period.

As we re-group and consider next steps, it is essential that ULA members maintain their resolve and their unity

Remember – #DifferenceIsStriking!

THE DIFFERENCE IS STRIKING