News / UWE Bristol
University support staff begin two-day walkout
Support staff at UWE Bristol took part in strike action on Monday amid an ongoing dispute over pay.
Members of UNISON, the union that represents professional services staff, formed a picket line outside the university’s campus in Frenchay holding purple placards for the first of two days of walkouts.
They were part of thousands of striking cleaners, IT technicians, administrators and library staff striking at 21 universities across the UK.
is needed now More than ever
Union members rejected a “below-inflation” pay deal in February and voted to strike.
The university said it was “disappointed” but respected the right of staff to strike.
Picket lines formed at UWE’s Glenside, Bower Ashton and Frenchay campuses
Daisy Moss (above), a student advice coordinator from Horfield, told Bristol24/7 from the picket line that staff are becoming “desperate”.
“Staff are really struggling to live on their wages so we’ve had to start giving out food bank vouchers.”
“If staff are worried about how they’re going to feed themselves and their families, how can they give students a good service?”
Moss added: “We’re seeing our workloads increase hugely because staff are leaving because the working conditions are so difficult because the pay isn’t enough.
“People still working at uni really care about the students and they’re trying to do their best for them, but it’s getting increasingly harder and harder.”
? BREAKING: University staff to hold coordinated strikes over pay in September and October. #RisingTogetherForBetterPay https://t.co/VR80PrKy1o
— UNISON in Higher Education (@UNISONinHE) September 7, 2023
UNISON head of education Mike Short said: “Support staff play a crucial role helping students through university, but they’ve endured years of real-terms pay cuts.
“Many can’t support themselves as prices of food, fuel and household bills continue to rise. Some are having to leave for better-paid jobs elsewhere and that risks leaving millions of students facing a worsening university experience. Universities must improve wages.”
A UWE spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that this industrial action, part of a national dispute, is taking place, especially as it is timed to coincide with our new students joining us, but we respect the right of our colleagues to undertake this action.”
“We are working to mitigate and minimise any potential disruption for our students and staff across these days.”
All photos: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
- Junior doctors and consultants hold first-ever joint strike
- UWE Bristol launches ‘UK-first’ climate course
- UWE staff strike for first time in nine years
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