Nottingham uni occupation in solidarity with strike ends

Socialist Students marching, photo Naomi Byron

Socialist Students marching, photo Naomi Byron   (Click to enlarge: opens in new window)

The last day of the current University and College Union (UCU) strikes, 13 March, was the last day of the Nottingham University occupation in solidarity with them.

The UCU was meeting with university bosses to discuss the strike demands that afternoon.

The current strike ballot has expired. The strikers are determined, weighing up what to do next depending on the university’s response to coronavirus, and the mood of the strikers.

Nottingham University is suspending all face-to-face classes to deal with coronavirus. But many students will not have any form of teaching – except through emails and the selective one or two office hours a week – while departments transition to online teaching.

Students have been supporting the picket lines and leafleting other students to support the lecturers.

On the last day, students brought red roses for each of the pickets. A striker said students had provided food, coffee and other support during the strike.

Reece Lawton, Nottingham University Socialist Students