Sarah Darley, writing for in The Guardian:

Going on strike is never an easy decision. I hate causing disruption to the team I work with and losing eight days’ pay, especially so close to Christmas. Striking is particularly hard for staff in precarious employment situations – not only for financial reasons but also for the fear of being branded a “troublemaker”. I share these worries but I am just one of many in precarious employment. The current strike action, and possible future strike action, is unfortunately necessary: we must demand fair and secure working conditions for all staff for the benefit of teaching, research and staff wellbeing.