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St Andrews on the Beeb

Here at good old St Andrews we find ourselves thrust into the lens of the news camera, this time thanks to the Association of University Teachers strike. Basically, the AUT are on partial-strike (they won’t set exams and won’t grade papers) in hopes of better pay. The idea is that by the time exams come around in June the whole thing will be settled. Unfortunately, here in Scotland our exams our a month earlier in May, so there’s a good chance that the strike will disrupt some students’ exams.

To solve the quandary, the University decided to negotiate locally with the AUT chapter in St Andrews. After all, why should our superb institution be cast in with all the others? Well, the University administration made a good offer and the local chapter voted 94% in favor of the deal. Swell! At least it was until the national AUT came in and said “Sorry chaps, we’re invalidating your ballot. How many times do we have to tell you: don’t think for yourselves, just do as Union says!”

So BBC Scotland sent out their intrepid reporter to interview a few folks, and if you watch the video you can see the Younger Hall where I will be graduating in June. I will be graduating because not all the teachers are on strike. In fact, I think most St Andrews lecturers and tutors aren’t in the union. But it’ll still cause a right ruckus for some if the whole thing isn’t sorted out. The University will stick to the agreed pay deal nonetheless.

Local lecturer pay deals rejected, BBC News, click ‘ Views on the lecturers’ pay deal impasse’ on the right for the video.
March against exam papers action, BBC News, (same video link).


Some screen captures: Tom d’Ardenne, incoming President of the Students Association, with Alex Yabroff, the Californian incumbent, followed Dr. Brian Lang, our Principal and Vice-Chancellor (ie: the guy who actually runs the University), and a little context shot of St. Salvator’s Quad to round it up.




Published at 4:30 am on Saturday 6 May 2006. Categories: St Andrews.
Comments

hello, this is kenny, ive never been on a blog before.
i find them to be self glorifying, and the only people who read them are people you know already and will see you face to face. however my opinion appears to be somewhat worthless these days. so hurray for you and long live the blog.

— kenny 25 May 2006 9:44 am
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