Staff at Falmouth University are walking out today in a row over pay and conditions
It's the first of three planned strike days where over 70,000 university staff at 150 universities are taking action
Last updated 24th Nov 2022
With the start of the University year just weeks away, 20 institutions have voted to go on more strike action- one of those being Falmouth University in Cornwall.
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.
Staff at Falmouth University are walking out today in a row over pay and conditions.
It's the first of three planned strike days where over 70,000 university staff at 150 universities are taking action.
Matt Scott, Falmouth University UCU Branch Co-chair said the staff are facing severe financial hardship.
Matt said "Some of our members are having to use foodbanks, some others are having to take second jobs. It's a pretty serious situation in this cost of living crisis and the universities pay offer is really not good enough"
Although the staff are striking today, they're hoping minimal impact will be done to students learning.
"We really don't want to impact students learning experience. In fact we want to uphold the value of that experience and to make sure that the people who are teaching them are treated fairly and properly by their employers"
"Students are going to be taught by over worked, exhausted staff who are facing many other challenges and will not be able to focus in a way that students are going to expect on giving them the best possible experience" said Matt
The minister for higher education says he urges all sides to work together so that students do not suffer with further learning loss.
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.
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.