ucuRISING

In January 2023, UCU announced 18 days of strike action.

Such action is not taken lightly but is a response to UCEA failing to make an adequate pay offer or negotiate on our other disputes. We appreciate that this will be financially difficult for many members, but if you can’t afford to strike, then you can’t afford not to strike!

In our sector we have seen a real term pay cut of more than 20% since the Tories came to power in 2010, with some experts suggesting inflation will hit 18% in early 2023, we are on track to see our real pay cut even further. Yet, UK Universities have the temerity to offer us a degrading 3% pay rise. They offer us a below inflation pay rise when energy bills have gone up by 80% and are predicted to double again next year leading to average bills hitting £550 per month, pushing an additional 45 million people into poverty. To add to the insult, we’re offered a real terms pay cut, when there is clear evidence that university management is increasing the intensity of our work and our unpaid hours. This is why the UCU is demanding a pay uplift of 12% or Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 2%.

But this is not simply a ballot over pay. This is also an opportunity for us to demonstrate our collective strength. As the recent pulse survey highlighted, current workloads are unsustainable and staff are increasingly becoming alienated and demotivated. If we do not fight back, this will only intensify and we will likely see more compulsory redundancies.

We take inspiration from the RMT, ASLEF, TSSA, FBU, UNITE, CWU, the GMB and the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) – all of whom are currently taking strike action over pay and conditions. In particular, we extended our solidarity to UNISON members in universities (including Leeds Beckett University) who have overwhelming voted in favour in strike of action. Across the country, and beyond, workers are standing up and saying enough is enough. It is time for us to join them!

We suggest you look at the HE pay modeller to see how much real pay you have lost in the last 10 years.

Why are members striking?

4 fights

  1. Below inflation payrises
  2. Casualisation
  3. Workload
  4. Inequality
    • 17% racial pay gap
    • 15.1% gender pay gap
    • 9% disability pay gap
    • 68% of research staff are on casualised contracts

What do UCU want?

  • A pay uplift of 12% or Retail Price Index (RPI) plus 2%
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