Sir: The promise of certain candidates in the NUS elections
to support striking unions brings to mind two events which took place at the University of Surrey about eighteen months ago. The first concerned a short-cut through acedemic buildings used by workers engaged on construction work on the campus. A notice was soon put up forbidding workers to use this short-cut again. The reaction of the workers to this clear breach of the student-worker-solidarity code was not a strike but compliance with the request. Then, secondly, at a general meeting the students passed a motion attacking the catering manager for the low standard and high prices Of food in the refectories, but stressing their support for the catering staff who were, they considered, underpaid. The reaction in this case was swift: the catering staff immediately came out on strike in support of the catering manager.
Obviously the workers did not care whether they had the support of the students or not, and I believe this will continue to be their attitude despite the posturings of left-wing students.
Martin Billingham 10 Heather Drive, Kinver, Stourbridge
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