Second week of protests at University of Sussex (From The Argus)
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Second week of protests at University of Sussex
2:30pm Friday 22nd February 2013 in News
Students protest against privatisation of catering and facilities management jobs at University of Sussex
Students celebrated the second week of their campus protest with another lively rally.
Up to 300 activists waved banners and chanted slogans in opposition to the University of Sussex’s privatisation of catering and facility management jobs.
On February 7, students stormed the campus’ Bramber House before occupying the top floor conference centre.
The campaign has gathered considerable support over the fortnight, with famous faces such as comedian Frankie Boyle, director Ken Loach and writer Noam Chomsky among those backing the cause.
University bosses have said the privatisation of the jobs is necessary to help growth.
A spokeswoman said they were “reviewing” the situation.
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Comments(5)
RottingdeanRant
says...
3:50pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Spirali
says...
4:31pm Fri 22 Feb 13
RottingdeanRant wrote:That would be useful for a discussion of the finer points although if the Argus reported the story in sufficient detail without leaving such obvious questions then the students wouldn't have to fill in the story for them.
Yes it would be useful if one of the students involved could explain why they are protesting. What do they want and why?
theleftygiraffe
says...
5:28pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Fight_Back wrote:Yeah make them pay higher fees, that'd be totally fair. It's not like the head honchos at the uni make far too much money anyway...
I wonder if these students will be willing to pay higher tuition fees to account for the higher costs the University has by employing catering staff etc directly ?
Really not sure why they think outsourcing the jobs to the private sector is such an issue. After all, a vast majority of them will go on and be employed by private companies.
Private sector workers generally have less rights and lower pay and there's always the chance that the uni will clean house and hire 235 new workers instead.
Sussex jim
says...
9:14pm Fri 22 Feb 13
The existing staff were re-employed on new contracts with the new caterers; but the chefs were not taken on, and others drifted away due to dissatisfaction with their terms and the job.
Fight_Back says...
2:56pm Fri 22 Feb 13
Really not sure why they think outsourcing the jobs to the private sector is such an issue. After all, a vast majority of them will go on and be employed by private companies.