Scottish university workers vote to join cost of living strike wave

Workers at four of Scotland’s universities have voted to go on strike in a dispute over pay.

Unison union members at Edinburgh Napier, Glasgow, Robert Gordon and Glasgow Caledonian balloted for industrial action.

They include cleaners, library workers administrators and IT technicians – all of whom kept universities running through the pandemic.

“University professional and support staff have gone above and beyond to support students throughout the pandemic and it’s time they were given the fair pay and recognition they deserve,” said Davena Rankin, branch secretary at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Unison said no university staff had received any wage rise close to current levels of inflation.

It comes as UK inflation is on track to hit 18.6% in early 2023 for the first time in almost 50 years, experts have predicted.

Staff at Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Heriot Watt universities also voted for industrial action but missed the 50% turnout threshold required to go ahead.

Lorcan Mullen, the union’s regional organiser, said: “Even before this cost of living crisis, pay inequalities on Scottish campuses were a national disgrace. The universities have – despite the severity of this crisis – imposed yet another pay deal that works as a real-terms pay cut for our members.

“We will decide on next steps in the coming days, but university bosses should know their lowest-paid staff are demanding more money and more respect, now.”