Editorial: We stand in solidarity with LSE UCU

Another academic year, another wave of UCU strikes. ese are the biggest yet: throughout the last week of November, over 70,000 academic and administrative sta led three days of strike action over pay, working conditions, and pension cuts.

UCU members are clearly desperate. From our reporting, we know that sta do not take action lightly; many regret the disruption caused to their students. But their working conditions are our learning conditions. is week’s cover story details just how precarious working at LSE can be. Casualisation, one of the UCU’s ‘four ghts’ particularly a ects junior sta , who are also those most hurt by pension cuts. ese strikes are not happening in isolation. e cost-of-living crisis is a ecting workers in every sector, from transport to healthcare. Students are particularly vulnerable. We recognise and share in the frustration at cancelled classes and lectures, particularly among international students, who are subject to exorbitant fees.

Despite this, we feel that disregarding the systemic issues in academia will only have more pronounced repercussions on students and the future of universities in the UK. As UCU President Janet Farrar told e Beaver this