Higher education round up

Trade unionists have launched a campaign to defend union activist and lecturer Christine Vie.

Christine is a member of the UCU union’s national executive committee and a union rep at Manchester Metropolitan University.

She is the only worker there facing compulsory redundancy.

Christine told Socialist Worker, “Activists in the unions are on the frontline of defending education—and management sees us as standing in the way of the attacks.”

Workers have rushed to defend Christine. “I’ve been receiving copies of emails that people have sent to the vice chancellor from all over the place,” she said.

Management wants to sack Christine by 31 July. Workers plan a lobby of governors next Friday. The UCU branch is lodging a dispute and members are calling for an industrial action ballot.

Rush messages of support to c.vie@mmu.ac.uk and messages of protest to the vice chancellor john.brooks@mmu.ac.uk Sign the petition www.ucu.org.uk/supportchristinevie

Support staff at Birmingham University are set to strike for the first time in 30 years next Thursday and Friday.

Catering, cleaning and admin workers in the Unison union have had 3 years of below inflation pay rises which have cost them up to £1,250 a year. But the Vice Chancellor has had a £27,000 pay rise. The strike is timed to coincide with the university’s open days.There will be protests at each university entrance.

Messages of support can be sent to mattraine@birminghamuniunison.org.uk