University of Bristol students barricade themselves in Wills Memorial Building
Their actions are in support of staff facing a cut to their pensions
A group of students at the University of Bristol have barricaded themselves in the Wills Memorial Building.
They have taken over the Great Hall in support of a national strike amongst university staff, who are concerned about potential cuts to their pensions.
Photos shared online show a large number of chairs and a table pushed up against the door, preventing university security from getting in.
"This action has been undertaken in solidarity with the UCU (University and College Union), who are currently striking over the 35 percent cut to their pensions recently agreed upon by the UUK (Universities UK)," a statement shared by the students reads.
"This cut threatens the livelihoods of a sector already devastated by casualisation and precarity.
"On top of UUK's rejection of the UCU's mild demands, university management has further punished staff through their threat to withhold pay for ASOS (action short of strike)."
Staff from universities across the country have been striking for several months, with staff in Bristol taking part in three days of action back in December.
The UCU has asked for the decision to cut pensions by 35 percent to be revoked, and for a £2,500 pay increase for members.
Some teaching has been impacted, but despite that there is a significant number of students who back the action.
We asked the University of Bristol for a statement.
“We are aware that students are currently occupying the Great Hall in the Wills Memorial Building," they told us.
“The action follows similar occupations at several other universities in which students are supporting the ongoing industrial action by lecturers and academic staff which is part of a complex national dispute over staff pay and pensions."
In their statement released this morning, the students occupying the building said they had no access to toilets or running water, but the university has disputed that.
“Students have access to toilets and amenities," a spokesperson told us.
"We have never taken action against students for peaceful occupation and will not do so in this case.”
The students say the university can have the building back "when management stop punishing staff and meet these demands".
Some posts online suggest the police have been called to end the occupation, but we have spoken to Avon and Somerset Police who say while they are aware of the situation, they are merely monitoring it at the moment and not getting involved.