University staff strikes: UNISON and UCU members action in Winchester

Some University of Winchester staff took part in what they dubbed 'the biggest strikes in the history of higher education' on Thursday, November 24. They will also be on strike on Friday, November 25 and Wednesday, November 30.

Members of University College Union (UCU) and UNISON, trade unions representing education staff, protested outside the University of Winchester entrances.

The strike is a national event, with higher education staff walking out all over the country.

According to UCU, more than 70,000 staff members at 150 universities across the UK are taking part in the November strikes.

A representative from UNISON said: “The employees are after a fair pay rise to help them cope with soaring prices. The rise in living costs is three times greater than the workers’ pay increase. This amount to a substantial cut, leaving staff out of pocket and struggling.”

The chair of the Winchester UCU branch, Gordon McKelvie said that some staff have even had to turn to food banks to survive.

He said: “Members, at the moment, are saying to us that they have to go to food banks. They’ve had to choose between eating and heating. Some of them, because they’re on very casual contracts, very short-term contracts are genuinely terrified that in a few months’ time, they’ll be on Universal Credit.

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“In the past 13 years, we have had, in real terms, a 25 per cent pay cut. We have unbearable workloads and pay gaps relating to gender, race and disability.”

The National Union of Students (NUS) has supported UCU and UNISON’s action, which could see more than 2.5 million students affected.

University of Winchester students faced many cancelled lectures on Thursday, leaving the campus almost empty.

UNISON workplace steward representative, Rory Elliott said: “We’re fighting for our pay, but really for the whole future of the sector."

Neil Curtin, senior lecturer in History, was at the picket line. 

He said:  “This has been coming for 10 years and at some point you just have to stand up and do something about it.”

UNISON south east regional secretary Steve Torrance said: “The universities should do the right thing and come back with more money to show they care about their employees. This would help keep them in their posts so students can receive the support they need and have the best possible experience of university.”

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The UCU and UNISON strikers have contacted Sarah Greer the vice-chancellor of the University of Winchester in a plea to improve their working conditions, but say they have had no response.

The letter includes bullet points of what the staff are striking for ‘mindful of her location in the UK’s most expensive city.’

The strikers in action will be at the university from 8am until 2pm each day.