WOinAction joins the national strike on 15 March
WOinA Actie links up with the national strike day of the AOb and FNV on March 15. That says Rens Bod, professor at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and one of the pioneers of the movement. Several universities have indicated that they support the campaign and are giving employees the opportunity to go to The Hague.
Image: WOinA Actie
On December 14 last year, WOinA Actie still held itself a demonstration in The Hague to get the cutbacks in scientific education off the table and to inform politicians that structural investments are needed (1,15 billion euros per year). Now the movement links up with the action week of the AOb and the national strike day on March 15.
Stand up
“We are taking part because our conversation with education minister Ingrid van Engelshoven has yielded nothing,” says Bod. “When push comes to shove, the minister turns around and doesn't stand up for us. We asked if she would do that if there were to be new cuts. ”
When push comes to shove, the minister bends over and does not stand up for us
During the general meeting at the beginning of this week it appeared that WOinA Actie would like to join the AOb and FNV joins. The meetings were attended by representatives of WOinActie who work at various universities in the country. Bod: "We will stick to the 1,15 billion euros in investments that are required and the efficiency discount of 183 million euros that must be scrapped. Together we are stronger."
Support
WOinActie is currently working on a letter to all university boards. In it, the group asks for support for the strike day on March 15. Bod: “We will also be holding our own promotions in the week of 11 March. For example, we have a debate with top scientists who tell us what the 'next big thing' is that they want to achieve, but which cannot be achieved because of the cutbacks.”
Shared concerns
In the meantime, several universities have announced that they have sympathy for the action. “We give our employees the opportunity to go to The Hague,” says Annelies van Dijk, spokesman for the UvA. “There is no attendance requirement on that day. We do ask employees to report on time if their lectures are canceled. The university buildings will remain open as usual. It is still unclear what the exact details of March 15 will look like. That depends on the willingness to take action among students and teachers. ”
We give our employees the opportunity to go to The Hague
The UvA has also supported previous campaigns. For example, President of the Board Geert ten Dam joined the demonstration on 14 December.
Utrecht University (UU) also shows solidarity. Spokesman Maarten Post says that the Executive Board is behind the call for 'sustainable financing of higher education'. There is no compulsory attendance on March 15, mails Post. 'Employees and students are given the opportunity to go to The Hague.' He does emphasize that the university will not be closed on strike day and that it will remain open for education and research.
