Staff will take further strike days at the University of Brighton over pay issues from this Friday, UNISON says.
Two days of action will take place on 1 April and 4 April, following a previous round of action earlier in March.
Staff at the university have voted to strike over a pay offer of 1.5% which UNISON says is not enough.
Strikes involving non- academic staff are also taking place at seven other universities around the country over pay and changes to pensions in the coming days.
UNISON South East regional organiser Louise Barter said: “University staff provide vital services, but they’ve seen the value of their pay plummet over the past few years.
“They’re also dealing the cost-of-living crisis. It’s crucial employers treat staff fairly and make them a decent pay offer.
“The importance of university staff during the pandemic cannot be overstated, quickly enabling students to learn remotely and providing welfare support throughout.
“They mustn’t be taken for granted. An above-inflation wage rise is needed to persuade them not to leave for better-paid jobs.
Notes to editors:
– Staff at the University previously took two days of strike action on 1 and 2 March over this issue.
– There will be picket lines on the mornings of both 1 and 4 April outside Grand Parade (City campus), Moulsecoomb campus and Falmer campus. UNISON will be available there for further comments and pictures.
– A rally is being organised at Grand Parade on 1 April at 10.30am in Victoria Gardens which is being organised by the UCU branch at the University.
– 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.
Case study (name has been changed):
Anna, an administrator at the University said: “I’ve worked at the university for 20 years and have never known morale to be so low. We are all doing so much more for much less money as various restructures have cut teams to the bone, and it’s impacting on mine and my colleagues mental health. I’m worried about making ends meet with the rising cost of food and fuel.”
