University of Brighton staff including administrators, librarians, laboratory technicians, caterers, cleaners, and facilities workers will take one day of industrial action on Thursday 2 December in a dispute over pay.
The staff, represented by UNISON, will walk out and join picket lines after their pay was frozen in 2020.
Employees at the University of Brighton voted overwhelmingly to strike after all staff in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland had their pay frozen last year. Since then, UNISON has in good faith attempted to negotiate locally to avoid industrial action. However, no serious offers have been made by the University of Brighton, says the union.
Workers represented by UNISON will be joined on picket lines and at a demonstration by academic staff represented by UCU, who have been on strike from 1 – 3 December in a separate dispute.
University of Brighton UNISON branch secretary Ivan Bonsell said:
“Even at this late stage, UNISON is willing to listen to serious offers which could avoid strike action.
“But we’re clear, staff will not put up with continuous real terms pay cuts. The cost of living is increasing significantly and our members are tired of being taken for granted.
“These are among the lowest paid staff at the university and they’ve worked tirelessly to maintain education standards during the pandemic. Effectively cutting their pay in no way to thank them.
“University leaders are happy to prioritise spending on new buildings – they need to invest in their staff too.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON and UCU members will be gathering at the the Moulsecoomb campus from midday and then marching to The Level for a demonstration starting at 1pm.
– There will be picket lines from 8am at all the main University campuses: Moulsecoomb, City campus (Grande Parade), Falmer (opposite Sussex University), and Eastbourne.
– Pay was frozen for all university staff in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in 2020.
– The real terms value of pay for higher Education staff has fallen 17% in the last 12 years, says UNISON.
– UNISON is also in dispute with national higher education employers over pay in 2021/22. You can find out more on this here.
– 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.
