BY JAMES GOFFIN UEA lecturers could soon strike over pay unless they get an inflat io n-busting ten per cent pay rise. Semi nar rooms and lecture theatres could be left empty if the Association of University Teac hers mobilises its members i n the threatened campaign of industrial action. Union leaders are promising " oneday strikes, boycotts of examinations, and boycotts of admissions" If ViceChancellors fa il to come up with a deal by April1. A strike by AUT - which represents nearly 700 UEA staff · could cripple teaching and academic work at the University. But the union insists its members deserve the cash.
Shortfall " We're 36 per cent behind on pay, so it's a modest claim in terms of what we are really due, looking at the shortfall In previous years," insisted Or John Noble-Nesbitt, AUT President at UEA. "We've decided to pursue the pay claim vigorously," he added. According to the Un iversities & Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA), which represents all UK universities, institutions are eager to reach a settlement. " We would regret any industrial action, we'd rather reach agreement through negotiation," said a UCEA spokesman. " I think it might be difficu lt to get it done by April 1. The AUT have put forward a detailed claim that we need to sit down and go through with them," he added. But Davld Triesman , general secretary of the AUT, is adamant that lecturers have lost out for too long. " Staff have been cheated. Money goes on new buildings, to those In pay review, never to university staff. They resent being fobbed off with finger-ln•n·~-"'""''" settiem " he stormed.
2500 students sign_ petition as demo calls for UEA to adOP-t ethical policy BY CLARE HAMILTON EDDY ANGRY DEMONSTRATORS stormed The Square on Friday in protest at UEA's unethical investment policies. A I 00-strong group of students marched from The Square to The Registry, delivering a 2,500 signature petition from students and lecturers. calling for the UEA to make its investments on a moral basis. on an index-tracker basis, meaning that shares are Representatives from the demo met University community in the 20th century," emphasised fellow selected by computer, depending on their performance in bigwigs inside the building while the remaining demonstrator Dr Rupert Read. the FfSE 100," said Annie Ogden, UEA Press demonstrators were locked out- and won a meeting with However, in a shock statement, UEA claimed last Officer. Vice-Chancellor Vincent Watts early next week. week that it disposed of its direct shareholdings in arms But according to Dr Read , that means UEA is still company GEC-Marconi - target of much of last week 's '"lt was a shame that we couldn't meet the Vice benefiting from arms shares. protest - last October. Chancel lor in person. but they have committed to "Given the width of holdings in this kind of fund, it is meeting us. This is an important step forward in letting Silence absolutely certain that some of UEA 's money is invested the University know what we really want,"' said Sarah Kytc (DEV 1). in arms companies," he said. The revelation comes after two months of silence " lt's not primarily a question of whether or not this Protester Lara Clements (EAS 1) said, "The from UEA finance chiefs, who had previously refused to fund has GEC Marconi shares or whether or not UEA demonstration proves that students care about where comment on the issue. has any direct control over it. money is going. UEA is supposed to be more ethical". 'The petition is about shares in anns companies - but continued on page 3 UEA does not hold any. The portfolio is now managed '"We want to be able to say that we are an ethical
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