NEWSIES!

A musical about the importance of strikes.

Beth McCowen SENIOR LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Currently playing a successful run at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, Newsies is based on the 1992 Disney film of the same name. The dance-heavy, high-energy show tells the touching true story of the 1899 Newsboys Strike. Protagonist Jack Kelly and his energetic gang of young newsboys earn their keep by selling newspapers of the streets of New York City, but when the paper prices are increased, the newsies are left struggling. The hero of the story, Jack, and an inspiring female news reporter (a rare find at the end of the nineteenth century) who writes under the name Katherine Plummer, decide to form a union and fight back against the New York World and its powerful publisher. Despite their charisma, determination and genuine cause, the union is shunned and dubbed unreasonable and idealistic. The determination of these young people to stand up for their rights and morals is admirable. It includes touching songs like Santa Fe, the motivational Watch What Happens, and the popular Seize the Day, all of which emphasise the production’s passion for equality, and unwavering support for those who must go on strike. The genius script and choreography facilitate a valuable conversation about the impact it has when employers do not value their staff highly enough.

The story remains poignant in 2023, and watching as a university student was especially eye-opening given the recently announced University and College Union strikes, which are bound to impact our studies. It is true that many of us have missed out on substantial portions of our education due to the pandemic, strikes, and other circumstances. However, like the newsboys of 1899, all the unions are asking for is fairness.

The UCU confirmed that around 70,000 members of the union will go on strike following disputes regarding pension cuts, working conditions and pay. Employees everywhere deserve to feel supported, and it is important to also remember that these factors also make up our learning conditions. These strikes are scheduled to take place on the following dates, making it the biggest series of strikes UK universities have ever seen:

Week 1 - Wednesday 1 February

Week 2 - Thursday 9 and Friday 10 February

Week 3 - Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Thursday 16 February

Week 4 - Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 February

Week 5 - Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February and Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 March

Week 6 - Thursday 16 and Friday 17 March

Week 7 - Monday 20, Tuesday 21 and Wednesday 22 March

A joint statement from all five Higher Education trade unions regarding a new offer from employers was released on 26th January 2023 and states the following:

We were disappointed by employers continuing to insist on a real-terms pay cut for 2023/4 which fails to address the 2022/23 dispute.

We looked to employers to make an inflation-based offer backdated to August 22 as well as a commitment to resolve pay-related issues.

University workers have suffered year-on-year pay cuts and this offer fails to offer any improvement.

We remain committed to a negotiated settlement.

From this action and statement, it is clear that previous negotiations have been unsuccessful, leaving union members feeling like they have few options left. Sat in the buzzing theatre, filled with people who felt triumphant, and even emotional as they watched the outstandingly talented cast of Newsies pour their heart and soul into sharing the experience of the underpaid newsboys and their fight to be heard. During these two hours, I felt my understanding of the strikes deepen, and my unwavering support for the union thicken. It may be inconvenient for many of us, and the action may appear drastic, but is that not the point? All strikes are supposed to ignite conversation and cause some level of disruption. This does unfortunately have a knock-on effect on those like us who are, in this instance, trying to learn. However, the inconvenience should not undermine the purpose of the walkouts. Eventually, the newsies participated in an effective negotiation which culminated in improvements to their working conditions. I can only hope that the same will one day be true of the UCU, but in the meantime, Newsies reminds us that it is crucial for students to acknowledge the necessity of the upcoming strikes, and remain hopeful that change is coming.