UCU members strike against derecognition

Nottingham Trent University has declared war on the University and College Union (UCU). On 4 July 2008 the university wrote to UCU and said it was aware that it should give nine months' notice, but had decided to terminate the agreement to recognise the union on 4 October 2008.

The union organised a protest and rally in the middle of Nottingham city centre. The protestors handed out leaflets explaining the reasons behind the current row to thousands of new Nottingham Trent University (NTU) students.

UCU president, Sasha Callaghan, told the rally: “NTU members have the full support of the national union. They have to win this fight to defend the right of staff in the sector to independent union representation. The whole academic world is now watching the University and I urge them to come back to the negotiating table before their reputation is further damaged.”

Members of UCU took strike action on Tuesday October 21st. Staff say the strike action was a sign of how desperate the situation has become and warned that if the University continued to ignore the problem then further disruption was likely. Over 100 UCU members staffed picket lines from 7am.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: "NTU members' magnificent campaign encapsulates everything that UCU stands for. Strong union representation is an essential civilising force across higher education; defending members' professional interests and defending education itself. I pledge the national union's full support until we achieve victory.”