University staff to strike over huge pay row

A local university which employs numerous staff from Southport and the surrounding area is yet again to be hit by strike action.

Staff members from the University of Liverpool, a number of whom live in the resort, are set to strike later this month over an ongoing pay row.

University of Liverpool is one of Five Further Education establishments taking 10 days of strike action whilst eight colleges will initially walk out for three days.

UCU members have a mandate for further action and the union said more waves of strikes are on the cards if employers refuse to meet its demands.

The dispute has arisen following a pay offer of just 1%from employer body, the Association of Colleges, in December 2020. The offer was condemned by UCU, Unite the Union, Unison, GMB and the National Education Union.

Staff at all affected institutions are taking action over pay, but at City & Islington College, Westminster Kingsway College and the College of North East London the dispute also includes other issues such as working conditions.

An overwhelming 89% of members who voted backed strike action, on an average turnout of over 62% (62.6%).

UCU said the turnout and vote for action reflected the anger staff feel over having their pay held down for so long.