Workers at university begin strike over pay
Trade union UNISON says employees at Leeds Beckett University (LBU) have walked out today – 4 October – in a row about pay.
The workers – including those in administrative, cleaning, library, security and catering services – will continue their strike tomorrow and Thursday after rejecting a 3% pay award from the University and Colleges Employers Association.
A university spokesman said: “Although we cannot support this industrial action, we appreciate these are difficult times for all those in our community. We are doing what we can to support staff in real terms, while ensuring our university remains a going concern and financially sustainable for the future.”
UNISON says it had called for an increase of 2% above the rate of inflation, currently running at 9.9%. With further rises in the cost of living expected, the award effectively amounts to a pay cut, the union argues.
Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser, Neelam Bhambra, said: “Low pay has been a massive, and growing, problem in the university sector for a decade and more.
“But the cost of living crisis is pushing people to the brink. They can’t even cover the basics.
“Going on strike is always a last resort. The university should do the right thing and come back with a better offer to show it cares about its staff, as well as ensuring students receive the support they need and deserve.”
UNISON did not confirm how many staff are taking part in the strike.
The LBU spokesman said: “LBU is one of 145 university employers represented by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) in what is an agreed annual process to determine pay negotiations at a national level with sector trade unions.
“Any change to this agreement would need to be made by all 145 members of the UCEA. We have made the average 3.18% pay award, which was brokered nationally and upheld by every other English university.
“The current economic situation is one that has severe implications for the health of our university, our colleagues and our students.
“In addition to the national pay award, we are adopting the raised Real Living Wage of £10.90 per hour recommended by the Living Wage Foundation, now rather than in April.
“We are also redistributing the employer National Insurance contribution we are saving for the rest of this university financial year to staff, as a one-off lump sum payment of c£350 in November.”
