Picket lines and marches mark the first two days of industrial action
Members of the Joint Trades Union (JTU) formed picket lines around campus on Tuesday and Wednesday, as part of a first wave of strike action following a dispute with the College over its most recent pay award.
In September, Imperial’s three recognised labour unions, which together form the JTU, had voted for strike action in separate ballots.
A picket line (through which passers-by could walk freely) first appeared on Tuesday morning, after which a cohort of around 65 strikers marched around campus to chants of “Imperial College Management: shame on you!”
The JTU’s main demand was the restoration of pay to the real-term equivalent of 2018 levels. “I think my works is worth as much today as it was seven years ago,” a striker reflected.
A few lectures were reportedly disrupted. According to student reports, a first-year mathematics lecture from the department of Joint Maths and Computing (JMC) was called off, while other students skipped classes they mistakenly believed were cancelled.
The action that occurred on Tuesday coincided with Commemoration Day, a graduation ceremony. Most graduands surveyed by Felix said the demonstrations had not affected the celebrations, and many were unaware on the ongoing strike.
A staff member on the picket line told Felix they were “amazed at the turnout and support” received from staff, students, and the families of graduands.
The JTU has a mandate to strike until March, and has currently confirmed days of industrial action in October and November. A representative for the UCU told Felix that further social movements would likely be organised if the College did not return to the negotiating table. “We gave them many opportunities [to do so],” a staff member told Felix.
