Why We Should Support the UCU Strike
Dear St Andrews, show your support.
For the other side of the story, read Jasmine Humphrey’s description of the dangers of the strike.
It’s often hard to properly empathise with the position of the strikers when you have been personally inconvenienced by their actions. I still remember the anger with which my friend and I greeted the news that, due to industrial action on the part of French railway workers, we would arrive at our destination in Germany several days late. Many of us studying here at St Andrews — especially those of us who must pay for our education — will justifiably be upset that our lectures and tutorials will be cancelled, our essays and assignments left ungraded, and our lecturers and tutors unresponsive.
Some of the more right-leaning students here at St Andrews will no doubt be put off by the prospect of supporting a labour union in words or in deed, and even more so by taking the same side as the Socialist Society. But if you believe in the free market and in the right of every person to decide the price at which they are willing to sell their labour, surely you see that the lecturers would only be acting in their own rational self-interest – independent of any ideological convictions or the idea of someone “deserving” a certain pay – by striking. In the face of the loss of over two hundred thousand pounds total per lecturer, and with the other side of the negotiating table being left empty, it would be borderline insanity for them not to take drastic measures.
We as students (and therefore as consumers and customers of the University) should also act in our own rational self-interest. We have rights, too, and we should demand them loudly and with conviction: if we lose valuable term-time to the negligence of organisations which refuse to come to the negotiating table, we deserve some sort of compensation from the University.
In the meanwhile the University and College Union, which is organising the strike, recommends students support their lecturers by not showing up to classes on the days when industrial action is planned.
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Understanding COSC Accreditation and Its Importance in Horology
COSC Validation and its Rigorous Criteria
COSC, or the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, is the official Swiss testing agency that certifies the accuracy and precision of wristwatches. COSC validation is a sign of excellent craftsmanship and trustworthiness in chronometry. Not all timepiece brands pursue COSC certification, such as Hublot, which instead sticks to its own strict criteria with mechanisms like the UNICO calibre, attaining equivalent precision.
The Art of Exact Chronometry
The core system of a mechanized watch involves the mainspring, which supplies power as it unwinds. This mechanism, however, can be vulnerable to environmental factors that may impact its accuracy. COSC-accredited movements undergo demanding testing—over fifteen days in various conditions (5 positions, 3 temperatures)—to ensure their durability and reliability. The tests evaluate:
Average daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 secs.
Mean variation, maximum variation rates, and effects of temperature changes.
Why COSC Certification Matters
For watch fans and collectors, a COSC-accredited timepiece isn’t just a item of technology but a testament to enduring excellence and precision. It represents a timepiece that:
Presents excellent reliability and precision.
Offers guarantee of quality across the entire construction of the watch.
Is likely to hold its value more effectively, making it a sound investment.
Well-known Timepiece Manufacturers
Several well-known brands prioritize COSC validation for their timepieces, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, provides collections like the Record and Soul, which showcase COSC-validated movements equipped with cutting-edge materials like silicone equilibrium suspensions to enhance resilience and efficiency.
Historic Background and the Evolution of Chronometers
The idea of the timepiece originates back to the requirement for precise chronometry for navigation at sea, highlighted by John Harrison’s work in the 18th cent. Since the formal foundation of COSC in 1973, the accreditation has become a yardstick for assessing the accuracy of luxury timepieces, maintaining a tradition of excellence in horology.
Conclusion
Owning a COSC-certified timepiece is more than an visual choice; it’s a dedication to quality and accuracy. For those valuing precision above all, the COSC certification offers tranquility of mind, ensuring that each certified timepiece will function dependably under various conditions. Whether for individual contentment or as an investment decision, COSC-validated watches stand out in the world of watchmaking, maintaining on a legacy of precise timekeeping.