The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has planned a strike from 12pm to 1pm on Monday 5th October, and Trinity has just responded in a college-wide email that it will cancel lectures, tutorials, and laboratory teaching during that time to “minimise disruption”.
There will also be a 24-hour strike on 14th October and 21st October. The college-wide email explained that Trinity has created a preparedness group for the other actions. The college also said that classes where attendance is required will be rescheduled, giving Medicide as an example. The email ended “Trinity respects the legal right of individuals to participate in lawful industrial action and equally respects the decisions of those who choose not to participate.”
In communication with the University Times the Postgraduate Workers Organisation (PWO) said that 93 per cent of IFUT voters voted in favour of industrial action and 94 per cent of PWO voters voted in favour. The statement continued, “Within universities, teaching and research staff are increasingly moving from one short-term contract to another. Many teaching staff are not remunerated for all the work they do outside the classroom, including preparation and office hours. Some researchers are not recognised as workers and lack adequate pay, sick or parental leave, and basic employment protections.”
The PWO also said they “recognise that this will cause disruption to lectures, labs, seminars and office hours. However, these actions are being taken to secure a better future for both university staff and students. Students deserve a university where staff can afford to live, are not overworked, and can give students their full attention.”
They also called on students to “stand with postgraduate workers alongside all university staff” and “not…cross the picket line”.
