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University strikes: one fifth voting for fresh action are in the South West

Workers from 20 universities have voted to take strike action 'later in the year', the union Unison says

University of Bristol
Author: Oliver MorganPublished 1st Sep 2022
Last updated 1st Sep 2022

With the start of the University year just weeks away, 20 institutions have voted to go on more strike action- with four of those right here in the South West.

They say that's because of what's been described as a 'ludicrously low' pay offer - with cleaners, administrators, librarians and caterers rejecting a proposed 3 per cent rise from the University and Colleges Employers Association.

Here, those universities voting for fresh action include:

  • The University of Bristol
  • The University of the West of England
  • The University of Gloucestershire
  • Bath Spa University

Staff had actually asked for a pay increase of 2 per cent above the rate of inflation.

With inflation topping 10% and further increases on the way, the award effectively represents a pay cut, the union says. The increase won’t touch the sides of the cost-of-living pressures decimating household budgets, says UNISON.

Employees from four universities in Scotland, one in Northern Ireland and 17 in England will be walking out.

Institutions in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bath, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow will all be affected, says UNISON.

UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Low pay has been a massive problem for the university sector for over a decade. Staff have become expert at stretching their pay to make ends meet. But the shock of the cost-of-living crisis has pushed many to breaking point.

“It’s always a very difficult decision to strike but staff feel they’ve been left with no choice. A 3% pay award is nowhere near enough and the employers know it. This ludicrously low increase does nothing to ease the financial pressures for thousands of struggling staff.

“Managers must put people before profits and pay staff proper, fair wages. If they don’t, employees will vote with their feet and leave universities for better paid, less stressful jobs.”

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