University of Bristol staff begin three-day strike over pay

Support staff at the University of Bristol begin a further round of strike action today (Tuesday) in an ongoing dispute over pay, says UNISON.

Library assistants, administrators and IT workers are among those who will walk out until Thursday (16 April) after rejecting a pay offer of 1.4%.

Staff have already taken five days of strike action in February and March over what the union says is the lowest pay uplift offered to university workers in years.

UNISON says staff salaries have fallen significantly behind the cost of living over the past decade, with no pay award matching inflation since 2008.

Rising housing costs in Bristol are adding to financial pressures on workers. Since 2014, the average monthly private rent in the city has increased from £647 to £1,889, while average university salaries have risen far more slowly, adds the union.

UNISON South West regional secretary Tim Roberts said: “Staff are striking again today because they cannot afford to keep falling behind.

“A pay rise of 1.4% is nowhere near enough when rents, food and energy bills continue to soar.

“Workers would much rather doing the jobs they love than walking out once again. But after years of below-inflation pay, they feel they have no choice.

“The university must come back with an offer that reflects the real cost of living and values staff.”

University of Bristol UNISON picket lines