Students demand compensation over lecturer strikes

Students whose studies will be hit by what unions claim will be “the most extensive strike action ever seen” on campuses in the United Kingdom are planning to demand compensation from their universities for disruption to their degrees, writes Sally Weale for The Guardian.

Academics and lecturers in 61 universities across the country will strike over 14 days starting later this month in protest over proposed changes to their pensions which they claim will leave a typical lecturer almost £10,000 (US$14,000) worse off in retirement. The industrial action, which kicks off on 22 February, will mean cancelled lectures, tutorials and seminars, which could have a significant impact on students who pay £9,000 (US$12,600) annual tuition fees and build up debts of up to £50,000 after going to university.

There is widespread support among students for their lecturers’ industrial action. But there is also concern about the potential impact on their own studies. Law student Robert Liow, who has started a Refund Our Fees campaign at King’s College London, said: “The core demand of this campaign is that universities give us a refund of our fees for each day that academics are striking.”
Full report on The Guardian site