UPDATE: A further report just in:
In Liverpool the United for Education day was the occasion for a historic display of unity between unions in five of the City’s further and higher education institutions. Over one hundred members of UCU, Unite, and UNISON attended a lunchtime rally in the John Foster building at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), having travelled from different parts of the City. Protesters came from five different institutions: LJMU, Liverpool Community College, Hope University, the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA). The rally heard from speakers representing staff at all of these institutions as well as from speakers from the NUS. The LIPA UCU representative spoke about how union recognition was achieved by the newest local branch in the country, having won it only in the last three months. Speeches naturally varied according to the details of the local stories told. The overriding message though was clear: ‘we need to fight together by supporting each others’ rallies, campaigns and picket lines. By standing together we can resist the attacks we know are on the horizon’.
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Report in from fantastic rally in Liverpool:
UNISON and UCU members and students joined forces yesterday during their lunch time to Conga for Education, with George Osborne masks, vuvuzelas, air horns, balloons, whistles and bubbles. The protest was colourful and noisy, and was focussed on celebrating education and the benefits that Hugh Baird brings to an area of high unemployment and few opportunities. To cut back on the education and training that people need now more than ever during a recession is completely illogical. Hugh Baird has already seen cuts of £734,000 to its budget, mainly in adult places, meaning a reduction in courses and staff redundancies. Further cuts from the current coalition government can only mean more cuts and further redundancies – and even fewer places and opportunities for students and the local community.
