Higher education staff will walk out from today (Monday) in a new wave of strikes over inadequate pay, says UNISON.
Administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering workers – many of them among the lowest paid in the university sector – are among those taking industrial action.
The employees are after a fair pay rise to help them cope with soaring prices. This follows several years where wages have failed to keep pace with inflation, the union says.
For most of the 19 institutions affected, this is the second wave of industrial action this term. There has already been disruption at universities in England and Scotland, with a series of strikes in September and October.
The university support staff rejected a 3% pay rise from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association back in May.
With the lowest measure of inflation currently 11.1%, the rise in living costs is three times greater than the workers’ pay increase. This amounts to a substantial cut, leaving staff out of pocket and struggling, UNISON says.
Universities in Aberdeen, Brighton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester are among those affected, says UNISON. Staff at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester have also announced dates.
UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Low pay has been a massive, and growing, problem in the university sector for more than a decade.
“The cost of living crisis is pushing people to the brink. University support staff can’t even cover the basics. They’ve had enough and are quitting the sector for jobs on better pay.
“Going on strike is always a last resort, but the inadequate pay workers have been given this year is the final straw.
“The universities should do the right thing and come back with more money to show they care about their employees. This would help keep them in their posts so students can receive the support they need and have the best possible experience of university.”
Notes to editors:
– Strikes are due to take place at:
- Bath Spa University: Thursday 24 November
- Birkbeck (University of London): Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- City (University of London): Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- Edinburgh Napier University: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- Glasgow Caledonian University: Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 November
- Kings College London: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- Leeds Beckett University: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- Liverpool Hope University: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- London South Bank University: Thursday 24 November
- Manchester Metropolitan University: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- Robert Gordon University: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- Royal Northern College of Music: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London): Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- University of Brighton: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- University of Bristol: Thursday 24 and Wednesday 30 November
- University of Leeds: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Saturday 26, Sunday 27, Monday 28, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 November
- University of the West of England: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- University of Winchester: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
- University of Gloucestershire: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk