Image: City University Picket line on Thursday 31 March
Staff will take further strike days at City University and King’s College London over low pay from this week, UNISON says.
Action is to take place on Thursday 31 March and Friday 1 April at City, and Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 April at King’s, following a previous round of action in February and earlier this month.
Staff at both universities have voted to strike over a pay offer of 1.5% which UNISON says is not enough.
Damien Frettsome, a student engagement officer and UNISON branch secretary at City University said: “University staff provide vital services, but they’ve seen the value of their pay plummet over the past few years.
“They’re also dealing with the cost-of-living crisis. It’s crucial employers treat staff fairly and make them a decent pay offer.
“Instead of being willing to sit down and make a better offer, City management initially threatened to withhold overtime pay from security staff who go on strike.
“Although management have now u-turned on withholding overtime pay after UNISON pressure, this attitude does illustrate why industrial action has sadly been needed to get our members the pay rise they need.”
Akic Lwaldeng, a security guard and UNISON rep at King’s said: “The importance of university staff during the pandemic cannot be overstated, quickly enabling students to learn remotely and providing welfare support throughout.
“We mustn’t be taken for granted. An above-inflation wage rise is needed to persuade them not to leave for better-paid jobs.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Nathan Burns M: 07813 722747 E: n.burns@unison.co.uk