This is almost certainly unwise... but here's a quick thread on the @ucu strikes, and why I feel very conflicted about the call for strike action. 1/ @Bristol_UCU @mdiasabey
For context, I support the UCU's goals in the dispute, and have been hugely frustrated by the lack of progress in the talks with the Universities, in particular on pensions and casualisation. 2/
I welcome that there seem to be some significant steps in the right direction. @BristolUni's agreement on the gender pay gap (here) is a significant achievement. bristol.ac.uk/news/2020/janu… 3/
And my hope is that these sort of successes start to become more widespread, and more frequent. 4/
But, as my Brexit followers will know, I am extremely concerned about the national political picture, and the destructive turn which seems to be occurring under PM Johnson. There are attacks on Parliament, the courts and the press... and universities may well be next. 5/
There are many potential flashpoints. To name a few: the Augar review on fees, visa/free movement policy, free speech, participation in EU research grants and Erasmus. 6/
It seems more important than ever for universities to be able to present a united front - they will need to if they are to confront the Govt's possible next moves. 7/
So... this is not a good time for the University sector to be at war with itself (see also the Labour party, the Lib Dems, the BBC). It is instead time to start making progress on range of issues which have led to the UCU call for more strike action. 8/
The ball is in the employers' court; but the UCU needs to be ready to compromise too. The dispute is wide-ranging. It would be good to have a clearer idea of what sort of result (or progress towards a result) might be deemed acceptable. 9/
Strike action only 'works' if it results in extra concessions from the employer. Is there a realistic prospect that strike will achieve that goal? Might the threat of strike action be enough? As we know there are costs associated with all strike action. 10/
I guess overall I'm just hugely frustrated that, at this key time, the university sector doesn't seem capable of getting its act together; and that we might be embarking on a needless, unproductive, and destructive strike. 11/11
