MULTIPLE picket lines were in place across Carlisle yesterday as industrial action by workers continues across multiple sectors.

Postal workers were on strike as part of their long running dispute with Royal Mail and University of Cumbria staff also walked on the first day of the University and College Union’s (UCU) dispute.

This year has seen widespread industrial action with nurses, ambulance workers and staff at the McVities factory in Carlisle also voting to strike.

On the picket line outside the University of Cumbria’s Fusehill Street Campus, picket supervisor Tina Harvey said university staff were striking for several reasons.

“We’re striking for our pay, job conditions, workload and pensions” Tina said.

“The casualisation of our industry by the introduction of hour-by-hour contracts means cheaper labour across the sector.”

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UK students currently pay £9,250 a year to study at university but despite the disruption caused by the action, UCU rep, Scott Inglis said there was 'great support from students'.

“The action is impacting students but they’re not getting what they expected,” said Scott.

This is the first phase of strike action in the current UCU dispute but there is an 'appetite' for more.

“There’s always an appetite for more,” said Scott. “What we are asking for is not unreasonable – career progression, better conditions and a pay rise in line with inflation plus 2 per cent.”

When asked about the strike action, a University of Cumbria spokesperson said: “The strike action proposed by UCU is part of a national dispute.

“We recognise that the decision to take industrial action is not taken lightly and we respect colleagues' right to take part.

“The University of Cumbria has discussed the matter constructively with UCU locally, and all parties are committed to handling the action and any associated impact on students in a responsible and sensible way.

“The university will make every effort to minimise the impact of the action on our students and to ensure that no student is materially disadvantaged as a consequence of the industrial action.

“Our campuses and all other university resources and support will remain open and available to all students during the strike.”

Postal workers were also on strike at the Junction Street depot in Carlisle.

Their action will impact Black Friday shopping leaving the Royal Mail accusing the union of 'holding Christmas to ransom' despite Royal Mail offering their 'best and final offer' in recent talks.

News and Star: Mike Bateman, CWU area processing rep for Carlisle said postal workers were 'fighting for the future.'

“I don’t think the public know how bad the situation is at the moment,” said Mike.

“10,000 jobs could be lost before next summer and more will follow.

“I thought we were getting somewhere in the talks (with Royal Mail) but we’ve been ridden roughshod over.”

Royal Mail's chief executive, Simon Thompson said: "We want to reach a deal, but time is running out for the CWU to change their position and avoid further damaging strike action"

When asked about the impact the action could have on shoppers Mike said: “People aren’t going to like it and that’s understandable but it’s not a good situation at the moment.”

Both UCU and CWU members say that there is an “appetite” for strike action amongst workers and with significant progress yet to be achieved in both disputes, strike action looks set to continue into the new year.

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