Lobby Your MSP!
Thank you to the MSPs who have voiced their support for No Compulsory Redundancies!
Angus Robertson (SNP)
Douglas Ross (Con)
Alex Cole-Hamilton (LibDem)
Pam Duncan-Glancy (Lab)
Miles Briggs (Con)
UoE is a wealthy institution with ample reserves in addition to our endowment. The ongoing cuts could lead to up to 1800 compulsory redundancies in addition to the damage already being done. We are residents and citizens of Scotland, and our political representatives should be addressing this crisis that will not only wreck individual lives and livelihoods but have dire consequences for the economy of Edinburgh.
Photo by Devon Janse van Rensburg on Unsplash
Call your MSP!
To increase pressure on senior management to change course, we are calling for a coordinated campaign of emails and phone calls to MSPs’ offices* (constituency, and ideally regional list) from Monday, 17 November. Many of us have emailed before but, to make our situation a priority for MSPs, we need to not just email but call and, ideally, arrange a meeting (teams or in person).
*Note: Please only contact your own MSP!
We want MSPs’ offices to be flooded with calls throughout the 3 days of the strike. Spread the word!
To find out who your MSP is and get their email addresses and phone numbers, you can put your postcode into the Scottish Parliament website.
17-19 November Strike Days Timetable
Day 1 (Monday 17)
Local pickets (9:00 to 12:00)
Members lobby their MSPs en masse to demand they pay attention to the gravity of what we're facing at UoE (see above for details)
We encourage everyone to keep making calls throughout the week even if you missed calling on Monday!
Day 2 (Tuesday 18)
Local pickets (9:00 to 12:00)
Bake sale at the Main Library to fundraise for the Hardship & Fighting Fund; drop-off from 9 am; buy cakes 9am-12pm!
Local Contacts induction (lunch provided!) from 12:30 to 1:15 pm at the Union Office, 12 Buccleuch Street — ring ‘union offices’ for entry. If you are interested in becoming a Local Contact, or are a new Local Contact and would like to learn more about the role and meet members across the University, do come along.
MAB Organising Workshop from 1:15 to 3:15 pm at the Union Office, 12 Buccleuch Street — ring ‘union offices’ for entry. Local Contacts are welcome, as are all members who want to strategise on MAB and who would like to share their experiences of previous action. Focus on redundancy fights and using marking boycotts as a tactic. Snacks and tea provided!
1-2pm Teachout ‘From Staff-Student Solidarity to One Big Union’ at Chrystal MacMillan Building, George Square Entrance
Day 3 (Wednesday 18)
Local pickets (9:00 to 12:00)
12-12:30pm Hot Soup at UCU offices (12 Buccleuch St)
12:30-1pm: walk to Parliament
Closing joint unions/SSSN Rally at the Scottish Parliament, 1-2 pm (sign up requested, see above!)
***Note that EUJPS has moved their Rally for Divestment from the 19th to the 20th in solidarity with striking workers at UoE. We encourage everyone to join them on the 20th — details here.
List of local pickets
Old College
50 George Square
Chrystal Macmillan Building
Dugald Stewart Building (PPLS)
Informatics Forum
Main Library
Business School
ECA Hunter Buildings
Old Medical School (HCA & HiSS)
Moray House
King’s Buildings