This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-63561041
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
University staff to go on strike this month | University staff to go on strike this month |
(31 minutes later) | |
Students have supported previous strikes by lecturers and other university staff | |
University lecturers and other staff across the UK will strike this month over pay, pensions and working conditions, the University and College Union (UCU) has said. | University lecturers and other staff across the UK will strike this month over pay, pensions and working conditions, the University and College Union (UCU) has said. |
Strikes will take place on 24, 25 and 30 November at 150 universities. | Strikes will take place on 24, 25 and 30 November at 150 universities. |
The UCU claims 70,000 staff members will strike. | The UCU claims 70,000 staff members will strike. |
Universities say they are "well-prepared" to "protect students' education". | |
Staff will also start industrial action short of a strike from 23 November, UCU said, which could include things like refusing to cover for absent colleagues. | |
The National Union of Students (NUS) is supporting the walkout. | The National Union of Students (NUS) is supporting the walkout. |
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), which represents university employers across the UK, proposed a 3% pay increase for staff this academic year, with 9% for those on the lowest pay grades. | The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), which represents university employers across the UK, proposed a 3% pay increase for staff this academic year, with 9% for those on the lowest pay grades. |
But UCU members want a pay rise to take the rising cost of living into account - much like unions in other sectors that have pushed for strike action in recent months. | But UCU members want a pay rise to take the rising cost of living into account - much like unions in other sectors that have pushed for strike action in recent months. |
Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - is the highest it has been for 40 years. That means workers' living costs are rising faster than their wages, leaving them worse off. | Inflation - the rate at which prices rise - is the highest it has been for 40 years. That means workers' living costs are rising faster than their wages, leaving them worse off. |
UCU general secretary, Jo Grady, criticised vice chancellors' salaries, comparing them to UCU members who were on "low-paid and insecure contracts". | |
"UCU members do not want to strike but are doing so to save the sector and win dignity at work," she said. | |
Universities UK (UUK), an organisation representing 140 institutions, said: "We appreciate this could be a difficult time for students, who may be anxious about possible disruption to their learning. | Universities UK (UUK), an organisation representing 140 institutions, said: "We appreciate this could be a difficult time for students, who may be anxious about possible disruption to their learning. |
"Universities are well-prepared for industrial action and will put in place a series of measures to protect students' education, as well as other staff and the wider community." | |