Solidarity with UCU at Sussex Univerity and nationwide!

Eastbourne trade unionists stand in solidarity with the University and College Union members taking strike action in defence of their Final Salary Pension scheme, in the face of proposals that would lead to a hit of between 20 and 40% to their pensions.

UCU members at the University of Sussex will be taking action on:
Thursday 22 February, Friday 23 February, Monday 26 February, Tuesday 27 February, Wednesday 28 February,
Monday 5 March, Tuesday 6 March, Wednesday 7 March, Thursday 8 March, Monday 12 March,
Tuesday 13 March, Wednesday 14 March, Thursday 15 March and  Friday 16 March.

The UCU explain...

WHY WE ARE STRIKING:
We are university staff and members of the University and College Union (UCU) and we are taking strike action to defend our right to a fair pension. University employers want to end guaranteed pensions and reduce retirement income for all.

PENSIONS UNDER ATTACK:
University staff have always accepted pay levels that are lower than comparably skilled professions, partly because we had a decent pension. Now our right to a well-earned retirement is under attack.

WHAT EMPLOYERS’ HARDLINE PROPOSALS WOULD MEAN:

• Final pensions would depend on how the stock market performs not on contributions.
• A reduction in retirement benefits by between 20% and 40% depending on grade and length of service. A typical lecturer stands to lose around £10,000 a year.
• The worst pensions in the education sector, far worse than those available to both school teachers and staff in ‘new’ universities.
• A recruitment and retention crisis as staff seek better financial security elsewhere

STRIKING IS ALWAYS A LAST RESORT:
No education professional wants to strike but we also deserve long-term security and our students deserve staff who are able to focus fully on the job. We have called for extended negotiations with the employers but, disappointingly, talks ended with the changes being imposed. Staff feel angry and betrayed but even now we call on university leaders to work with us to find a solution and avoid widespread disruption for our students.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR STRIKE

UCU members voted overwhelmingly for this action on the highest turnout this union has seen. We have been left with no choice but to take strike action and to withdraw the goodwill that the university relies upon but that has been taken for granted.

Visit the UCU's website for more information by clicking here.