Students have once again occupied Jessop West on Upper Hanover Street in a mark of solidarity with the UCU strikes that began on Monday.
Banners have been hung from the windows of the university building where 16 students have claimed various rooms across four floors to prevent security locking internal doors. The students have been in Jessop West since 2:30pm Monday afternoon (14 Feb).
One student, who did not want to be named, said: “What better way to show our support with the strikes than be a part of them and make this occupation? The missing link is students, because we are paying customers.”
One banner makes reference to the University of Sheffield’s Archaeology Department, which will be shut down by the University in 2024. The display also supports UCU picket lines over disputes concerning pay and the gender wage gap, pensions, and overly large workloads.
Jessop West was also occupied by students during the last round of UCU strikes in December 2021. The group did not give a timeframe for their current occupation, and did not say whether they will take action on the upcoming strike days on the 1st and 2nd March.
