More than 66% od the AUT members voted to support strike action relating to pay cuts and the breakdown of the national pay negotiations. The AUT website contains a DIY guide on how to organise the strike and pickets ( http://www.aut.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=707) and the list of all universities that are expected to strike ( http://www.aut.org.uk/media/html/membersballotactionletter1.html). An interesting twist is that the NUS supports the strike and in return (as explained in the letter bellow) the AUT supports the campaign against top-up fees!

The Cambridge specific details: CAUT calls on its members to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednsday there will be a picket line from 8.30 to 11.30 on Pembroke Street by the entrance to the Downing Site. There will also be a rally in the Univeristy Sports and Social Club on Mill Lane at 12.30 on Wednesday. ( http://www.aut.cam.ac.uk/)

Letter to students:

Dear student,

Industrial action by the Association of University Teachers (AUT)

As you may know, AUT is the trade union that represents academic and senior administrative, library and computing staff in most UK universities. You will also know that after two decades of under-investment, university staff are among the lowest paid professional groups in the UK - a fact even acknowledged by the prime minister.

Now, the university employers have proposed a complete change in the way that we are paid and graded. The proposed new pay structure would mean:

* Reductions in career earnings for many already low paid academic and related staff of as much as £40,000 over the next ten years

* Jobs being graded according to where staff work, not what they do, and the local evaluation of staff based on unproven techniques

* The end of meaningful national negotiations on our pay and conditions; and the weakening of our union AUT as the national voice of staff

The employers have refused to negotiate with AUT and, in December excluded AUT from talks when our union refused to agree to these changes.

Having tried to resolve the issue peacefully, AUT was forced to ballot members for strike action. The anger of staff across the country was shown by the fact that 67% voted to take strike action, starting in the week beginning Monday 23rd February and 81% voted for further disruptive action after that.

We have no wish to disrupt your education. Many of us choose to stay in higher education despite the relatively low pay on offer because our priority is - and always will be - the support and development of our students.

Yet, as I am sure you can understand, we can never accept a pay offer which actually reduces earnings for many, would lead to job insecurity and would weaken our union's ability to negotiate.

Your union, the National Union of Students (NUS), understands the dilemma we now face and has pledged full support to AUT members. Indeed, following an opinion poll which showed that 65% of students supported our reasons for striking, the NUS has called upon the university employers to resume negotiations to meet AUT's concerns.

My union believes that staff and students must campaign together for a better deal, and we fully support the NUS campaign against variable top-up fees.

You can help to resolve this dispute by emailing or writing to this university's vice-chancellor and asking them to put pressure upon UCEA (the national employers' negotiating body) to withdraw its earnings cutting proposals and resume meaningful national negotiations.

AUT has had a democratic ballot, and as a loyal union member, I will be supporting my union. I hope you understand that I do this with a heavy heart knowing that my employer's actions may mean a reduction in the quality of education available to you in the coming weeks.

For your part, I hope you will feel able to support AUT's stand for better resources for higher education, including pay for staff.
You can find out more about the key issues in this dispute at www.aut.org.uk.

Your support for our cause is crucial if we are to resolve this unnecessary dispute. If you have any concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

With best wishes,