Staff at Liverpool Hope University have embarked on their first day of strike action as they protest a 'ludicrously low' pay rise offer of 3%.
Administrators, cleaners, library, security and catering employees at both Liverpool Hope and Manchester Metropolitan universities formed picket lines this morning, October 4, with further walk-outs planned on October 11 and 13.
The workers, who are among the lowest paid in the higher education sector, are fighting for a pay increase of 2% above the rate of inflation from the University and Colleges Employers Association.
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The Association had offered just 3%, which trade union Unison says "effectively represents a pay cut" due to the rising cost of living.
UNISON North West higher education lead Andy Rutherford said: “Low pay has been a massive, and growing, problem in the university sector for upwards of a decade.
“Staff have become expert at stretching their pay to make ends meet. But the shock of the cost-of-living crisis has pushed many to breaking point, with no end in sight and problems likely to get worse.
“It’s always a very difficult decision to strike but staff feel they’ve been left with no choice. A 3% pay award is nowhere near enough and the employers know it. This ludicrously low increase does nothing to ease the financial pressures for thousands of struggling staff.
“Neither of these universities has come to the table to improve the offer or find a sensible way forward. If they don’t put people before profits and pay staff proper, fair wages employees will vote with their feet and leave universities for better paid, less stressful jobs elsewhere.”
Striking employees outside the university were joined by Wavertree MP Paula Barker, who attended to show her support this morning.
She said: "It was great to be on the picket line today to support Unison in their fight for fair pay at Hope University. I have written to the Liverpool Hope University to call on them to settle this dispute and give these dedicated professionals the pay rise they deserve."
Andy said: "Our members are very strong in their support. This has been the most well attended picket I've seen in 20 years. The strength of feeling is apparent. The basic message is that out members are worth more.
"These people are not in high paying jobs, but it's clear they are worthwhile jobs. They're the hidden workforce. They run everything behind the scenes and keep the university ticking over day after day, for very little reward. They feel very much let down, angry and disappointed, and that is showing here today."
A spokesperson for Liverpool Hope University said: “As a participating member of the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), the university opts into an annual national pay negotiation process.
“The responses of more than 140 institutions contribute to the pay offer made to staff and any dispute over that offer can only be resolved through the national negotiation process.
“The university has discussed with union representatives whether they would want us to consider withdrawing from national bargaining at the Joint Consultative and Negotiation Committee (JCNC). They stated that they did not wish for this to happen and we respect their reasons for this.”
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