Union says pay conditions at the University of Leeds…

Union says pay conditions at the University of Leeds is the 'final straw'

A number of staff at the University of Leeds are to take strike action across several unions over disputes about pay. Unite, UCU and UNISON have all announced planned strike action starting this month.

Hundreds of university workers in the Yorkshire & Humberside region will strike again for fair pay: the industrial action, which will run from Thursday 24 November until Wednesday 30 November, is a direct result of more than a decade of below inflation pay settlements imposed by the employers nationwide.

Unite announced five days of strike action, starting on November 24 and continuing on November 25 until Wednesday, November 30. UNISON also announced strike action, with seven days announced from November 24 until November 30.

For some UNISON members at the Universities, this is the fifth period of strike action in 2022 and members say that employers are still not meeting to seek a resolution.

UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Low pay has been a massive, and growing, problem in the university sector for more than a decade.

The Parkinson Building at the University of Leeds (Yorkshire Folk / Mike Hirst)

“Going on strike is always a last resort, but the inadequate pay workers have been given this year is the final straw.

“The universities should do the right thing and come back with more money to show they care about their employees. This would help keep them in their posts so students can receive the support they need and have the best possible experience of university.”

Administrators, cleaners, library staff, security and catering workers are some of the lowest paid in the university sector. The employees are seeking a fair pay rise to help them with the cost of living crisis. UNISON say that the current offer of a three percent pay rise when inflation is at 11 percent is derisory.

UNISON say some staff are already relying on food banks and benefit as well as second jobs to cope with the crisis. Some students were concerned over the strike actions as libraries and other facilities will be forced to close with no staff in to operate.

Kaynan Hudson, a politics student at the university says he is standing in solidarity for the workers. He told LeedsLive: "As a student, I completely support the current industrial action at the University of Leeds. I want striking staff to achieve their goals as I believe that the working conditions of staff are also the learning conditions of students.

"I value the work of all the staff at the university, from lecturers, to librarians, to security staff on campus. We are all part of one university community and we should support one another when there’s injustice. It’s only through student and staff unity that we can achieve a fairer university system that works for all.

"This is also why many students like myself are involved in Leeds Student and Staff Solidarity (LSSS). This brings together students across the university to mobilise in support of the strikes and to campaign across campus. We are proud to join staff on the picket lines, and we are proud to give the trade unions our support during industrial action."

A spokesperson for the University of Leeds said: "We recognise these are difficult times for our staff and students, and have responded accordingly with targeted support. While pay rates are negotiated at a national level, for staff, this support will include a further payment of up to £650 in December, for which almost 4,000 people on our lower pay grades are eligible, following a similar payment in July.

“The University has already absorbed £40m in increased costs, which includes meeting rising energy bills and subsidising low-cost hot meals for everyone on campus.”

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