| strike_report1Members of three unions are today taking co-ordinated strike action at universities across the UK. Classes will be cancelled as members of UCU, UNISON and Unite strike over a pay offer of 1% – a real-terms pay cut of 13% since 2008. Staff will be on picket lines in towns and cities across the UK from early this morning, with many then making their way to local rallies in their area. All three unions said they expected there to be widespread support for the action. UCU head of higher education Michael MacNeil, said: “There is widespread anger over the pay cuts staff have had to endure in recent years and all the reports we are getting is that today’s strike will be very well supported. ” UNISON head of higher education Jon Richards said: “We cannot understand the cavalier attitude of the university employers. They are sitting on record surpluses, splashing out on senior management pay but refusing to give a decent wage to the staff who have made UK universities some of the best in the world.” Unite national officer for education Mike McCartney said: “Our members are taking this action with a heavy heart, but they have had to endure a five-year pay drought. Their contribution should be recognised with a substantial pay rise as household bills, such as energy, are going through the roof. We hope that the strike will focus employers’ minds and they realise their staff are their most important asset and reward them accordingly.” UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said: “Taking strike action is never an easy decision, especially for those already struggling on low pay. With Christmas less than two months away losing a day’s pay is even harder, but it shows just how angry and upset our members feel at this miserly 1% offer. “Even members earning above the Living Wage are finding their incomes squeezed to breaking point. It is a disgrace that universities are sitting on cash surpluses worth £2bn, but they are not prepared to reward their staff, who are the backbone of our world class university system. “We know that the total wage bill is falling while staff numbers have increased – that dynamic spells misery for many thousands of families. It is time for university employers to think again about the value that they place on their workforce and come back with a better offer.” The cumulative operating surplus in the higher education sector is now over £1 billion and many higher education institutions have built up cash reserves. Overall staff costs in higher education, as a proportion of income, have fallen from 58% in 2001/02, to 55.5% in 2011/12. - See more at: http://union-news.co.uk/2013/10/three-unions-take-co-ordinated-strike-action-uk-universities-pay/#sthash.aTJ0Drg8.dpuf |