University support staff in Bristol have voted to strike over a “sub-par” pay offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), says UNISON today (Monday).
Cleaners, IT technicians, library staff and other higher education workers at the University of Bristol and another eight institutions across England will now decide on dates to take action unless UCEA increases its pay offer for 2023/24.
UNISON says the current offer falls a long way short of inflation and staff deserve more.
The 2023/24 pay offer is worth 5-8% depending on salary, with a higher percentage rise for lower paid workers. Some of this amount – around £83 per month before tax – was paid early to staff in February to help with the increasing cost of living.
UNISON South West head of higher education Chris Roche said: “University staff deserve more than another sub-par pay deal.
“Support workers play a crucial role helping students though university. But many can’t support themselves as prices of food and fuel continue to rise.
“Workers are having to leave for better-paid jobs elsewhere leaving millions of students facing a worsening university experience.
“The employers must now come back with a better pay offer or staff will be forced to take industrial action.”
