Strike Day

Lectures were disrupted as staff took to picketing the libraries in aid of yesterday’s national strike.


You were warned the other week, lecturers cancelled sessions here there and everywhere, the library was picketed- strike day hit Liverpool.

The action was sparked by the offer of a below inflation pay rise as well as the poor treatment of other staff, such as the controversial use of zero hours contracts which are widely believed to be exploitative.

For most of you, strike day started at Medication on Wednesday night as you made the most of your surprise Thursday morning lie in.

See how many people are supporting the plight of their university staff?

Come Thursday morning, where strike action was promised to begin at 5.30am, the campus had a very different feel to usual.

Both libraries were picketed from early on.

Automatic picket machine at the Sydney Jones

The Syria Bake Sale and Picketers fight for your attention at the Harold Cohen

Visitors to the Harold Cohen were met by a chorus of whistles and rattles, whilst being told they were crossing a picket and their “support would be appreciated”.

Some students felt intimidated by protests across the campus, but the action was generally good natured.

Chants of “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” became the song of choice around campus.

However, the Maths building put in a lot less effort;

Always were a shy bunch, those mathematicians

Later in the day there was a rally, starting in University Square, which was well attended.

LGoS incidentally was officially in support of the strike, where they spent the day cutting pumpkin faces.

We’re unsure if this constitutes strike action or a typical, hard working day for the Guild staff.

A Liverpool student tells the crowd of the support from his peers

Having fun whilst also being very, very angry

 

Unions feel they’re getting a woof deal

After talks from various speakers, including one who said they were “in support of all the occupations and strikes organised by the students about fees since 2010” , the protest became a march into town.

Still not as annoying to drivers as cyclists

News of a Vince Cable visit to Liverpool promised a chance of calm, equitable conversation but he didn’t seem interested. Instead they descended upon St George’s Hall, for the  final stop of the day.

Choruses of “Tories, Tories Tories, – OUT, OUT, OUT” rang out into the afternoon

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