Students who have been occupying a landmark Bristol building for more than a week say they have been accused of violence towards staff by the University of Bristol management.
The student group known as Occupy Wills received an email from University management on Monday (March 7) accusing them of "arguably violent actions" on their initial entry into the Great Hall l of the building on February 28, where 12 students barricaded themselves in support for the university staff have been on strike. University management has reportedly since abandoned all negotiations to agree on the conditions to end the occupation.
Occupy Wills, who are still occupying the room in the building, said they were disappointed at the outcome. "We are saddened and shocked that university management has resorted to veiled threats after a long negotiation process which has been chiefly amicable and productive," they commented in a statement.
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"The casual cruelty with which management has reneged on this agreement shows a lack of compassion and makes clear the university's union-busting intentions." They added that the situation could be "promptly resolved" if University management maintain the concessions already agreed upon, at which point the occupiers will vacate the building.
Having initially accepted the University management's proposal for the conditions to end the occupation, concessions were made and an agreement was reached, according to Occupy Wills. These concessions included no further action to be taken on the occupiers and that pay losses would be spread over a maximum of five days per month for industrial action taken by staff for the rest of the academic year.
A University of Bristol spokesperson said: “Contrary to statements from the occupiers, the University remains committed to not taking action in relation to peaceful protest. We also always support the right of members of our university community to work in a safe and caring environment. We received additional information yesterday that suggests there may have been unacceptable behaviour and, if further action is required in this case, we will follow our acceptable behaviour policy.
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“Our position on spreading strike deductions across two months, as has always been our approach and agreed with our UCU branch, remains unchanged.” The statement did not specify the nature of the behaviour that was brought to its attention.
The occupiers have said they have no recollection of any violent acts nor any threats of such behaviour, a claim they said has not yet been substantiated with evidence. They have apologised for any unintentional upset felt by one of the cleaning staff mentioned in one of the meetings with University management.
Security at the occupation site was also accused of "tactics which may be construed as intimidatory and outright aggressive towards occupiers". Some of these allegations include not allowing the delivery of food on one occasion and not allowing hygiene productions into the occupation.
The university maintained that students have had access to amenities, including toilets and showers, as well as deliveries of food and supplies throughout the occupation. Despite these incidents, the occupiers emphasise that security has been amicable and cooperative.
Monday marked the UCU's final scheduled strike both in Bristol and nationally, although they have warned that further strike action is on the table before Easter as well as marking boycotts if their demands are not met. The union has accused university leaders of 'failing staff and students' over devastating cuts to pensions and deteriorating pay and working conditions.
Also read: Bristol University students occupy iconic Wills Memorial Building as staff continue to strike
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