A group of students occupied a campus lecture theatre this morning in support of university workers who are striking over pension cuts.
The University of Liverpool students occupied a lecture theatre in the Ashton Building on Brownlow Street in "solidarity" with University and College Union members.
The students occupied the theatre from 7.30am until around midday before leaving after speaking with management staff.
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The UCU, which represents university workers, has gone on strike over pensions, pay and working conditions.
The group of students are supporting UCU members asking for discriminatory pay gaps to be closed, zero-hour contracts to be ended, an increase of pay and a reduction in workload.
Kathryn Manley is one of the students at The University of Liverpool who occupied the theatre this morning.
The 21-year-old Sociology and Social Policy student told the ECHO they occupied the building in "solidarity with all UCU members".
She said: "We occupied the building to try and get the university to listen to the demands of all UCU members.
"We just want to draw more attention to what's been happening and show our support to the staff.
"We've all been out on picket lines for a number of years in support for all members.
"I've occupied a building before but this was the first time for a lot of the group.
"We left the building at midday after we spoke with Paul Redmond and had disrupted the day's lectures.
"All lectures have been cancelled in the building for the rest of the day."
Ms Manley said she has supported UCU members since she first started university in 2019.
She said the group spoke with Dr Paul Redmond, Director of Student Experience, while at the occupation.
She added: "We tried to get our message across to the university but keep getting met with the same excuses.
"Paul Redmond said the university couldn't afford it.
"We just want the university to listen to the demands and start having more conversations with the members.
"We stand in solidarity with them and hope they start being treated with the respect they deserve."
Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree tweeted in support of the students.
Ms Barker said: An act of solidarity from University of Liverpool students to UCU members who are taking industrial action.
"I would appeal to management to do the right thing & meet with the UCU to negotiate."
A University of Liverpool spokesperson told the ECHO : “We can confirm that a small number of people occupied a building on campus for a short amount of time before leaving peacefully.”
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