Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Sydney University teachers and staff are blocking off all entrances to the campus, refusing student entry and causing traffic disruption. Protesters from the NSW National Tertiary Education Union have created a blockade at the entrance to the University, causing traffic build-up and headaches for commuters on Parramatta Rd. The Sydney University branch of the National Tertiary Education Union has created a blockade across the entrance to the University campus at Ross St. The protesters, who were first spotted causing disruption in Sydney about 7am on Wednesday morning, say they are “demanding an end to exploitative casualisation, preservation of academics’ right to conduct research, improved job-security, increased protections against overwork, and a pay rise above inflation”.
A group of about 20 union members are reported to be holding signs with “lights camera strike”, “NTEU official picket line” and “victory to the workers” at the main entrance to the University, with other pickets at all gates including City Rd.
Others have made a “human chain”, linking their arms and disallowing cars attempting access to the University.
While most people walked past striking members, others broke through the chain out of anger. The members were heard chanting, “No one in no one out, shut the uni down”, “NTEU you know what we’re here to do”, “turn around go away USYD is on strike today, who shut down the university, we shut down the university and “no one in, no one out, shut the Uni down,” as cars were turned away from the front gates. The protesters say they are expecting thousands of lecturers, tutors and support staff from the union to strike, meaning there will be no classes being taught, staff in libraries, meetings with students, emails answered and administrative and support work conducted.
The strike is set to continue for 24 hours in what will mark the fourth day of strikes from teaching staff since May. Police have arrived at the University and are currently standing by at the entrances.
