Students assembled just before 12pm today in Maynooth to join lecturers and other staff at the National University of Ireland NUI Maynooth on the picket lines for a number of hours.. Solidarity pickets were placed on both North and South campuses of NUI Maynooth.While the Student Union decided to take a 'neutral position' on the strike and not support workers on campus, students from various groups on campus- along with individual students- had spent the last number of days pushing for students to respect the strike and support NUIM staff. Free Education for Everyone (FEE) , the Social Solidarity Network (SSN) and Labour Youth all postered in the build up to the day.

Over 60 students participated in solidarity pickets, with Labour Youth and individual students joining academic staff and other NUIM workers on the South Campus entrance for most of the solidarity action, while Free Education for Everyone banners were present on the North Campus main gate. Students were joined on the picket lines by workers from Unite, the Irish Federation of University Teachers and Siptu.

Todays solidarity pickets showed the capability of the left on campus to work together and to support workers action at NUI Maynooth. Despite the feelings of dismay at the Student Unions decision not to support the strike, the response was a positive one- to build an alternative.

The cutbacks at NUI Maynooth are threatening both staff and students, and the decision of the vast majority of NUI Maynooth students to respect the strike and not go on campus today showed an understanding of just why the strikes were occuring. Free Education for Everyone will continue to campaign against cutbacks on campus, the appointment of Bertie Ahern T.D by the University and to offer practical solidarity to workers on campus.

A sincere thank you to all students who attended today.

'Students and workers- unite to fight the cutbacks!'

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First published on indymedia.ie