Strike, 4 August

The day began with a rally on campus, outside the library.

Members were addressed by David Small, John Freeman-Moir, Jack Heinemann, Green MP Keith Locke and by representatives from fellow tertiary sector union ASTE.

An impromptu procession then marched to the sixth floor of the Registry, where striking members were met in the UC Council Chambers by the Vice-Chancellor, HR Director and Registrar.

The Vice-Chancellor continued to refuse to express support for MECA bargaining. He also refused to donate to a fund for students money saved by the university due to members' industrial action.

Departing the university, members formed a vehicular cavalcade through Fendalton into the central city, circling the Arts Centre (the university's former site) before rallying outside UC at Bellamy's, near the corner of Gloucester Street and Oxford Terrace. They were joined by members from Lincoln University and by ASTE members from CPIT.

Here, an auction was staged, in which the right to sell UC at Bellamy's as a symbol of corporate-style wastefulness was bid for in units of member hours.

Bidding closed at 24 000 hours--the equivalent of three days' industrial action by members of AUS at Canterbury.

The rally was also addressed by Jeff Rowe, AUS's lead advocate in the current bargaining round.

Following the riverside rally, members processed around the central city, stopping in Cathedral Square to present their concerns to the interested public.

Planning for further industrial action continues.