Unite officer praises campuslock-in

The students locked themselves into the Senior Common Room at the Coleraine campus on Tuesday in support of the industrial action being taken by staff.

Mr Kelly said: “University employees have been taking industrial action in support of their demands for pay increases in line with inflation, which has been rising year-on-year. “The value of pay is now 13 per cent lower than it was four years ago due to sub inflation increases. In that context, the employers’ derisory offer of 1 per cent means that workers will still have suffered what amounts to an effective 2 per cent pay cut for the current year.”

Mr Kelly went on: “Today’s action by Students’ Union members in Coleraine offers a masterclass in solidarity.

“Trade unionists need to demonstrate that same solidarity with students as they resist attempts to increase fees – a move which would put a third-level education beyond the reach of many young people in Northern Ireland,” he added.