Higher education staff in the South East of England will walk out this week in a new wave of strikes over inadequate pay, says UNISON today (Tuesday).
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.
Staff at the University of Brighton and the University of Winchester are on their second wave of industrial action this term. There has already been disruption at universities across England and Scotland with a series of strikes in September and October over wages.
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.
UNISON South East regional secretary Steve Torrance 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 on the following dates. Picket lines will be in operation at the main campuses of both universities from around 8am on strike days, with opportunities for pictures and further comments.
- University of Brighton: Thursday 24, Friday 25, Wednesday 30 November
- University of Winchester: Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November
– 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.
