Thousands of university staff including administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering employees are to walk out in a wave of strikes that will hit universities from today (Tuesday), says UNISON.
Universities will be disrupted across England and Scotland as employees push for a fair pay rise that takes account of soaring cost of living pressures and years of below-inflation awards, says the union.
The workers, among the lowest paid in the higher education sector, took the difficult decision to strike after rejecting a 3% pay award from the University and Colleges Employers Association in May, the union says.
Staff are asking for a wage increase of 2% above inflation, the lowest measure for which is currently 9.8%.
Universities in Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Winchester are affected, says UNISON.
UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Staff have reached breaking point and have little choice but to strike.
“For years they’ve watched wages slip further behind living costs. Now huge price increases threaten to push many over the edge.
“Staff want to work in higher education. But if their highly paid university bosses don’t award them a fair pay increase, many are likely to head off for better paid jobs in other parts of the economy.”
Notes to editors:
– Strikes are due to take place at:
- Bath Spa University: Wednesday 5 October, Thursday 6 October.
- Birkbeck (University of London): Tuesday 4 October.
- City University (University of London): Thursday 13 October.
- Edinburgh Napier University: Tuesday 20 September, Wednesday 21 September, Monday 3 October, Tuesday 4 October.
- Glasgow Caledonian University:
- Kings College London: Tuesday 27 September, Wednesday 28 September, Thursday 29 September.
- Leeds Beckett University: Monday 3 October, Tuesday 4 October, Thursday 6 October.
- Liverpool Hope University: Tuesday 4 October, Tuesday 11 October, Thursday 13 October.
- London South Bank University: Tuesday 4 October, Wednesday 5 October.
- Manchester Met University: Tuesday 4 October, Wednesday 5 October.
- Robert Gordon University: Tuesday 20 September, Wednesday 21 September, Monday 3 October, Tuesday 4 October.
- School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London): Monday 26 September, Tuesday 27 September, Tuesday 4 October.
- University of Glasgow: Tuesday 20 September, Wednesday 21 September, Monday 3 October, Tuesday 4 October.
- University of Brighton: Thursday 13 October, Friday 14 October, Monday 17 October.
- University of Bristol: Monday 26 September, Tuesday 27 September, Wednesday 28 September.
- University of Leeds: Wednesday 28 September, Thursday 29 September, Friday 30 September, Monday 3 October, Tuesday 4 October, Saturday 8 October.
- University of the West of England: Tuesday 20 September, Thursday 13 October
- University of Winchester: Tuesday 20 September, Wednesday 21 September
Media contacts:
Garfield Myrie M: 07950 116356 E: g.myrie@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk