An Alternative to the National London Demo
The executive officers at UWSU have been considering different ways that we can support the needs of our students whilst at the same time paying consideration to the wider issues around national cuts to jobs, pensions and H.E. Funding. We understand that many officers share this same dilemma and are asking themselves, “How do I resource involvement in this campaign when our funding and budgets have already been decided over the summer?” This is again contrasted with the requests and needs of other officers, staff, lecturers, reps and students who would like to take part in action supporting the fight against rising fees and cuts, but are unable to attend the forthcoming event in London on November 9th 2011.
At Wolves SU we have decided upon an alternative to the National London Demo. We have created a series of events that can focus on enabling our members and associates to get involved without having to make the journey to London.
The events are as follows:
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2)Meeting with UCU & Unions
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3)Student Support for Activism Training
We have invited students, Staff, University Management, UCU Representatives, our local MP's and representatives from other Trade Unions and groups to have a debate on the subject of Strikes, Fees and Cuts. We see this as a chance to get all parties onto a platform where we can get a serious debate going. We have made this student lead and student focused and attempted to balance the argument.
We have arranged a meeting with the Chair and representatives from our University’s UCU members. The objective being to give us a chance to discuss ways to work together on a plan of action on how we can support each other in the imminent strike due to take place on the 30th of November. Our goal is to make sure that students are not adversely affected by the cancellation of lectures, Lecturers get a chance to put across their argument and the students are able to see all sides of the argument.
Finally we are happy that NUS have listened to our requests for help with local support and are sending any of our interested students onto the (Activist Training Day) in November at Goldsmiths University. We have identified our most political active students and groups and have allocated enough funds to provide for up to ten return train tickets to London. Our intention is that these attendees will return back to the union and share their training and experience with other students so that we can build a stronger fighting team of future activists.
for more info please Email Ken Harris president@wolvesunion.org
Panel to include:
Wolverhampton University Representative
Ken Harris (SU President)
Aiden Byrne (UCU Representative)
UNISON Representative
Other Representatives (TBC) include our local M.P.s
Other Activity for your calendars:
30th November UCU Lecturers will be on strike (more details to follow.)
9th November Student Protest in London (Contact Jiscmail for Details)