Local London Assembly Member, Len Duvall AM, joined strikers from the University and College Union (UCU) on the picket line outside Old Royal Naval College on Friday (13th March). Echoing the calls of protestors for better pay, working conditions and job security, Mr Duvall AM noted the “widespread support” for University of Greenwich staff from students and other members of the public.
The latest five-day stretch of protests from staff at the University of Greenwich came as part of widespread industrial action being taken at many other higher education institutions across the country.
Around 50,000 academics, librarians and support staff are calling for urgent improvements to be made to pay and working conditions, alongside showing their opposition to the increased use of zero-hours contracts.
Some of the specific demands from the UCU include a pay rise for all staff that amounts to 3% above the Retail Price Index (RPI), the closing of the gender and ethnic pay gaps, the implementation of a contractual 35 hour working week and a commitment to bring all outsourced staff back in-house.
Local London Assembly Member, Len Duvall AM, said:
“Maintaining a strong Higher Education sector is vital to the growth of our capital, so we must ensure good standards and working conditions are being upheld.
“To achieve this, we need to see fairer pay and pensions arrangements put in place as well as a clamp down on precarious zero-hours contracts and the huge workloads being foisted upon staff.
“It was great to join the picket lines and see such widespread support and solidarity for University of Greenwich staff from students and other members of the public.
“I hope the University and other institutions across London will listen to the demands of the UCU and move quickly and in good faith to open up and progress negotiations”.