There are lots of reasons to go on strike. The pension situation is garbage. Salaries have been cut. I am striking in solidarity with my colleagues affected by these things.

And I am striking because I haven't had the opportunity to be affected by these things.

In the last 18 months I have had 4 different hourly paid contracts, three <6 month fractional contracts, and one full time teaching-only temporary position that sees me unemployed over and after next summer. Several of these have been simultaneous, and across different cities.

Meanwhile, I have been applying and interviewing everywhere possible and trying desperately to find time to work on my own research, only to be told at countless interviews that I don't have enough published pieces/experience for a permanent contract.

I haven't stopped working since before I submitted my PhD. I can't remember the last time I had more than one full day off, or the last time I wasn't worried about money. I'm exhausted, frequently ill, and desperate for it not to affect my job performance.

I'm trying so hard. Everybody is. I am supported, my friends and colleagues are great, and many have it even worse. I love this job, my students, and my field, and I'm desperate to make it work, but we only have so much in us. And we are being exploited.

I'm striking because I can't plan for my own future or obtain any kind of stability, financial or otherwise. I'm striking because I can't see many other ways out aside from 'dumb luck' and 'being a white dude'. I'm striking because I'm drained.

Tonight I'll get a train to a city I don't live in to join the picket line at my institution, alongside some brilliant colleagues and (I hope) students. I don't know what else we can do other than show how desperate we are, and how much we care. #UCUStrikesBack

Placard is bigger than I realised, but has made it on a train and a bus safely. See you in the morning #UCUstrikesback