In spite of the gloomy weather and the sloshing mud, the air was filled with chants and banners waving high above a sea of determined faces. Students, faculty, and staff marched side by side, their collective frustration palpable. This moment, fueled by shared frustration and hope, reminds us of the importance of coming together, the vital role of collective labor organizing, and the solidarity needed to keep up the fight.

The Threat to Higher Education and Society at Large

Budget cuts to higher education are not just numbers on a balance sheet; they ripple through lives, institutions, and ultimately society at large in tangible ways. This reality shows us that the impact of these cuts is both personal and systemic, reshaping the landscape of academia in ways that are hard to ignore. They result in heavier workloads for academic staff, fewer resources for students, and a narrowing of the scope and ambition of research.

With reorganizations looming on the horizon, precarious contracts, relentless workloads, and limited opportunities for progression, young university workers are bearing the brunt of an increasingly unsustainable system that prioritizes short-term efficiency over long-term investment in people. For early-career academics like ourselves, the stakes felt deeply urgent. The cuts threaten not just our jobs and put students’ access to education at risk—they undermine the core values of public education.

As a first-generation scholar from a working-class family, Cristiana has experienced firsthand how accessible and high-quality education can transform lives. It provided her with opportunities she never imagined possible—access to knowledge, networks, and the confidence to navigate and shape the world. But more than that, her experience demonstrates how education as a public good gives everyone, no matter their background, the chance to pursue ideas and conduct research that ultimately benefits us all. Education should never be a privilege reserved for a few; it must remain a public good that empowers diverse voices and talents to thrive.

For early-career academics, the situation is particularly dire. Many are already stretched to the limit as they juggle teaching, research, grant applications, and administrative duties. These conditions are unsustainable and reflect a broader issue in academia: the romanticization of our work as a “passion project.”

Framing academic work as a hobby or passion obscures its true value. This narrative undermines the professional nature and societal value of our contributions, making it easier in moments of crisis to exploit our labor. Passion does not pay rent or alleviate burnout. It is crucial to challenge this framing and demand that academic work be recognized as labor deserving not only of fair compensation but also structural support.

The Role of Collective Organizing in the Netherlands

Unions play a critical role in advocating for the rights and well-being of university workers. In the Netherlands, unions such as the Algemene Onderwijsbond (AOb) and the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV), and action groups like WOinActie have been at the forefront of campaigns for better pay, job security, and more equitable working conditions in higher education. They have also been instrumental in organizing large-scale protests like the one on November 25, providing a platform for collective demands and ensuring that our voices are heard at the national level.

For early-career academics like ourselves, unions offer not only protection but also community. We are both active in the FNV, as are several other YAL members, while several others are members of the AOb. For us this was a natural channel that gave us a say in shaping fairer working conditions. But, in ways complementary to our YAL membership, it also expanded our access to a community of colleagues beyond our institutes and departments advocating for support, stability, and opportunities—things that are especially vital for early-career academics navigating an often uncertain landscape. We both found that joining a union is a powerful way to push back against precarious conditions and build solidarity with colleagues at all career stages.

When we organize, we shift the balance of power. Instead of navigating precarious conditions in isolation, we join a broader movement that demands accountability and change. Collective actions in which unions and organizations like YAL come together in solidarity can lead to tangible victories, such as securing better contracts or influencing institutional policies. Above all, it fosters a sense of solidarity and shared purpose, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.

A different university is possible

One of the most powerful aspects of the protest on November 25 was the diversity of its participants. Under a canopy of colorful banners and echoing chants, students, staff from all branches, early-career researchers, and senior professors marched shoulder to shoulder. This solidarity across different groups is essential to the success of any collective organizing effort.

Building solidarity in a traditionally hierarchical environment like higher education and academic research means fundamentally rethinking and transforming the structures that perpetuate inequality, competition, and exclusion. It’s not just about mutual support in times of crisis, but about actively working to dismantle rigid power hierarchies that prioritize prestige and profit over collective well-being and intellectual collaboration.

True solidarity begins with collapsing these hierarchies by fostering an environment where power is shared and decisions are made inclusively. It involves incentivizing collaboration over competition—creating systems that reward shared efforts, open knowledge-sharing, and co-creation rather than prioritizing individual achievements or impact metrics. Recognizing and celebrating contributions to teaching, mentorship, public engagement, and administrative work is key to highlighting the value of roles often overlooked by traditional academic measures.

Solidarity in this shared struggle means breaking down the binary thinking that frames tenure-track positions as the only valid career path. It means ensuring rewards and recognition for alternative academic and non-academic careers that contribute to the intellectual and social mission of universities. This includes equitable pay, professional development, and pathways for advancement for all staff—academic, administrative, and technical—regardless of their titles or roles.

In essence, solidarity is about building an academic community that prioritizes people over prestige, relationships over rankings, and meaningful change over tradition. It’s a collective act of reimagining what the university can be: not a ladder to climb but a network of shared knowledge and mutual care.

Divisions within academia can weaken our collective power. For example, the interests of professors may sometimes seem at odds with those of early-career academics. However, budget cuts and systemic exploitation affect us all, albeit in different ways. Building alliances across these divides strengthens our movement and ensures that no one is left behind.

The road ahead

Now is the time to act. If you are not already a member of a union, consider joining one. Attend meetings, participate in protests, and engage in conversations with colleagues about the importance of collective action. Small steps, like sharing resources or supporting a colleague in need, can build momentum for larger movements.

The November 25 protest was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we unite. In the face of budget cuts and systemic challenges, collective organizing is not just an option; it is a necessity. By joining forces with unions, action groups like WOinActie, and allies from Scientist Rebellion and EndFossil, we are better able to challenge the narratives that devalue our work, and create a more equitable and sustainable future for academia. Together, we are stronger.