A rally took place at St Mary’s Church at midday today.  The forty-strong demonstration was part of a nationwide strike over higher education staff pay, coinciding with a co-ordinated national week of action against cuts to higher education.

CUSU President, Flick Osborne, addressed the crowd, appealing for an end to cuts to higher education.  Other speakers included a representative from the University and College Union (UCU), and Unite.

Strikers picketed at several University sites earlier in the morning, including Sidgewick and New Museum site.  Several students were among them.

This was the fourth such action this academic year.  Strikers site a 13% real terms pay decrease since 2008 as a key grievance.  The strike comes two days after student group Cambridge Defend Education (CDE) demonstrated against cuts to higher education at the same location, sparking objections from local business owners.

The joint strike action was supported by CUSU: "We believe that lecturers and staff should be fairly remunerated to continue providing excellent education at the University of Cambridge.

“We hope that the University and the unions will go to the negotiating table as soon as possible to minimise disruption to students' education."

Commenting on the strike action a spokesperson for the University said: “The University respects Union members right to peaceful protest and strike action.”