Fri, 01/11/2013 - 23:34

Strike at Queen Mary University of London

All entrances to the large Mile End campus were picketed  by members of the participating unions, UNISON, UCU and UNITE, from 7am.

Many students visibly supported the strike by giving out leaflets, talking to their fellow students and asking them not to cross the picketlines and distributing tea, coffee and cake to the pickets.
All vehicles bringing in deliveries were stopped and many turned away in support of the strike.
Many lectures were cancelled, however some did go ahead and many students and indeed workers unfortunately did cross the picketline. The main library managed to stay open too, albeit on a skeleton staff.
Although the amount of people crossing the picketline was disappointing, the pickets were visible and effective and the fact that it was a joint union action provided a great opportunity to forge relationships and come together in struggle and solidarity, despite the hierarchical and fragmented nature of the workplace.
We await a response from the employer, but are expecting to be out again within the next few weeks.