UNIVERSITY support staff in Winchester have voted to strike over an “inadequate” pay offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).

Unison announced the action on Monday, May 15. Cleaners, IT technicians, library staff and other higher education workers at the University of Winchester and another eight institutions across England will now decide on dates to strike unless UCEA increases its pay offer for 2023/34. 

UNISON says the current proposal falls a long way short of inflation and staff deserve more.

The 2023/24 pay offer is worth five to eight per cent depending on salary, with a higher percentage rise for lower paid workers. Some of this amount – around £83 per month before tax – was paid early to staff in February to help with the increasing cost of living.

READ MORE: University of Winchester boss shamed for pay cuts to boycotting staff

UNISON South East head of higher education Neil Duncan-Jordan said: “University staff deserve more than another inadequate, below inflation pay deal. 

“Support workers play a crucial role in helping students through university. But many can’t support themselves as prices of food and fuel continue to rise. 

“Workers are having to leave for better-paid jobs elsewhere leaving millions of students facing a worsening university experience.
“The employers must now come back with a better pay offer or staff will be forced to take industrial action.”

A University of Winchester spokesperson said: “The action proposed by UCEA is part of a national dispute over which the university has no direct control. We hope the dispute can be resolved quickly and the impact on students is kept to a minimum.”