Bolton: Lecturers and job centre workers on strike in Bolton today

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Bolton and members of Public and Commercial Services union (PCS)  in Bolton started the first of days of successive strike action as part of natoinal action taking place.

It follows on from one day strikes by both unions earlier this month.

UCU members are in the first day of three  days’ strike action.

It follows on from one day strikes by both unions earlier this month.

The UCU confirmed on Monday evening that it will reballot its members to allow university staff to take further industrial action through the rest of the academic year if their demands are not met by employers.

The announcement came as the UCU entered talks with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), which represents 144 employers, via the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS).

Read more: Benefits workers in Bolton walk out as part of national strikes

Martin McAreavey, Vice Chair of University of Bolton UCU said: “I say to my students, when you get your shiny degree from the University of Bolton and get a job, your employer says ‘here’s your salary.’

“But in 10 years’ time we want you to work for 75 per cent of what you’re currently on and do twice as much work.

PCS strikers in the town centre today (Image: Newsquest)

“That is precisely where we are at.

“The UCEA has pulled our heads underwater. We’re now 25.5 per cent down on where we would have been 12 years ago.”

He added: “I hope that the talks between UCEA and UCU and other unions are fruitful and can bring the dispute to a satisfactory close.

“We don’t want to be stood here, we’d rather be in our  lecture theatres teaching our classes.”

PCS union are in the midst of a nine working day strike, which started on February 9 (Thursday) and will end on February 18 (Saturday).

Read more: Bolton benefits office workers to strike against 'scandal' of 'low pay'

Civil servants at the Bolton Benefit Centre have walked out as part of the action, which aims for better pay and working conditions.

Jo Knight, branch chair of PCS Bolton and Bury and case manager at the centre, last week.

The PCS strike on Thursday (Image: PCS)

Jo Knight, branch chair of PCS Bolton and Bury and case manager at the centre, said: “Our aims are very much the same as last week.

“We’ve heard rumours about the impact on the business, but they’re just rumours, we’re not going to hear much about the impact yet.

Read more: University set for wave of strikes as union names walkout days

“Between ourselves, the benefit centre in Stockport which is a similar size to us, and Liverpool, the strike has been very well supported.

“There has been lots of communication between us and other unions, so we’ll speak to the UCU and see how they’re getting on.”

She added: “The public have been fine, they’ve been brilliant, we get beeps from the cars and ‘go on’ from people walking past.”