SAMS students stand in solidarity with striking lecturers

SCOTTISH Association for Marine Science (SAMS) students are supporting their lecturers who are on strike over pension changes.

In a letter to their teachers, a group of students said they backed their decision to strike.

The staff are picketing over plans to end the defined benefit section of the Universities Superannuation Scheme pension scheme which could see lecturers £10,000 worse off per year.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at SAMS have joined 63 universities across the UK in the month-long strike.

In a letter to the lecturers, a group of students wrote: ‘We want to let you know that, although we have remained mostly silent, we students are aware of the situation. As our education will also be affected by this strike, we would like to let you know what we think of SAMS staff are picketing over plans to change their pension scheme.

the matter. We understand why strike action has been called for: the reform regarding your pension schemes is very alarming

and done with a seemingly complete disrespect for the work you do. The predicted reduction of £10,000 in retirement income

that would come from such a reform is simply unacceptable. Therefore, going on strike to protect your pensions and livelihood is a wholly necessary in this case. We do not expect you to just stand by and watch your future quality of life be attacked so blatantly.

‘To the lecturers that are members of the UCU and have decided to strike, we stand in full solidarity and support this industrial action. We believe it is important you fight for your pensions and livelihood.

‘You shape our learning and upsetting reforms that affect your future will affect our education. But looking past the lecturer-student relationship, we understand the magnitude of what is happening and reiterate we care and we support you.’

Speaking to The Oban Times, senior lecturer Claire Gachon said: ‘We are protesting against changes in pensions of academic staff. These changes are extremely unfavourable. We are paid by SAMS to teach students of UHI but when it comes to pensions SAMS tells us they are powerless. They said they are supportive, but can’t do anything. We are sad we can’t teach our students, but they are very supportive of us.’

Student Kirsty Black said: ‘It’s unanimous support. Quite a few of us will go into academia, so it will effect us in future.’

Professor Nicholas Owens, director of SAMS, said: ‘I understand the position of the union. In particular, I worry poorer pensions might make academic careers less attractive so UK academia could lose talent. Unfortunately SAMS cannot influence the employer position.

‘As director of SAMS, I am also concerned about our students and alongside many colleagues have been working to reduce the impact the strike may have on their education. Many of our students are, however, supportive of their striking lecturers.’