University of Gloucestershire workers to walk out in pay dispute

Support staff at the University of Gloucestershire will take strike action today (Thursday) after rejecting a below-inflation pay offer of just 1.4%, says UNISON.

Library assistants, administrators, IT workers and other support staff are taking action because the proposed increase fails to reflect the rising cost of living and follows years of pay deals that have lagged behind inflation, says the union.

The offer is the lowest pay uplift for university staff in several years and comes after sustained pressure on household budgets due to rising prices for essentials such as food, housing and energy, adds the union.

The strike comes as the university has recently invested heavily in its new City Campus in Gloucester, a development costing around £75m.

While the project has been supported by external funding, UNISON says it raises serious questions about priorities when staff are being offered what amounts to a real-terms pay cut.

Further strike action is also planned for Tuesday and Wednesday next week (21 and 22 April) as the dispute over pay continues.

UNISON South West regional secretary Tim Roberts said: “Staff at the University of Gloucestershire don’t want to be on strike, but they feel they’ve been left with no choice.

“This offer is far below what workers need to keep up with the cost of living. It’s even harder to accept when significant sums are being invested elsewhere, while the workforce is expected to take another real-terms pay cut.

“Universities can’t hide behind national bargaining when staff are struggling. They should be using their voice to push for a fair deal.”