Unison says that University staff announce strike dates at four institutions over pay row

University staff including cleaners, administrators, library, catering and security staff have announced strike dates at four institutions in Scotland in a dispute over pay.

Workers at Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow and Robert Gordon University are set to walk out after rejecting a 3% pay award from the University and Colleges Employers Association in May.

UNISON says members who work at these institutions will take strike action on September 19, 20, 21 and October 3 and 4.

Members at the University of Dundee will also strike for two weeks from September 19 in a dispute over local pension provision.

Staff have demanded a pay increase 2% above the rate of inflation.

The union says that as inflation soars, topping 10% with further increases on the way, the offer on the table effectively represents a pay cut.

Davena Rankin, Glasgow Caledonian UNISON branch secretary, said: “Strike action is never easy, least of all for low-paid university workers like cleaners, security officers and library assistants.

With the sector’s UK pay negotiating machinery imposing yet another disputed below-inflation award, UNISON members have been left with no choice but to fight back.

“We are proud of the strong mandates received at these four institutions, and the onus is on these employers and the sector to show they’ll act to protect hard-working staff from this cost of living crisis.”

Lorcan Mullen, UNISON Scotland’s head of higher and further education, said: “The pay inequalities in this largely publicly funded sector are obscene, and that hurts low-paid staff all the more with living costs running so high.

“UCEA, the Scottish Government, individual universities and sector leaders have a moral responsibility to act with urgency and seriousness on the cost-of-living crisis in Scotland’s universities.”