On 11-13 October, Leeds UCU went on strike in a local dispute. It had been a while since we’d had a three-day strike and we wanted to do more with the event than picket, so we organised a TEACH-OUT (a form of protest like a teach-in, except that it happens off campus, because we’re on strike). Good reasons to do teach-outs include: They show students that their teachers aren’t just putting their feet up. We care about students’ education and are willing to educate unpaid — just not to do the kind of educating we’re normally paid for. We only go on strike when bad things are happening, but promoting the teach-out allows us to focus conversations on a positive activity. Attending allows students (and anyone else!) to show support for the strike. The teach-outs also give members a communal, productive activity to do on strike days that builds ideas, capacity, and community — and reminds us what higher education is really all about. Not all members are willing or able to be involved in picketing, but are happy to participate in teach-outs, broadening the possibilities for activism on a strike day. And luckily, organising teach-outs is very easy! Almost … continue reading
