Union members at Edinburgh Napier voted for industrial action by more than 50 percent this week over a national pay dispute.
The union represents professional services staff in universities including cleaners, library workers, administrators and IT technicians. Unison Scotland represents 150,000 members delivering public and related services, and nationally, Unison represents 1.3million workers.
According to information from Unison, university staff have not received pay awards “anything close” to current levels of inflation. In 2020, 2021 and 2022 employers imposed pay awards of 0 percent, 1.5 percent and 3 percent respectively.
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Lorcan Mullen, Unison regional organiser, said: “Even before this cost of living crisis, pay inequalities on Scottish campuses were a national disgrace. The universities have – despite the severity of this crisis – imposed yet another pay deal that works as a real-terms pay cut for our members.
“We congratulate our members at four universities for beating thresholds set out in Tory anti-trade union legislation, but bitterly resent the impact of these unjust laws on democratic decisions made in three other institutions. We will decide on next steps in the coming days, but university bosses should know their lowest-paid staff are demanding more money and more respect, now.”
According to a report from Citigroup banking, the UK is on track to exceed 18 percent inflation by next year.
Unison is the latest union to strike for better wages and benefits. In Scotland, bin strikes have caused rubbish to mount in local authorities such as Edinburgh as unions seek better wages. Ongoing RMT rail worker strikes have also disrupted travel throughout the summer, and negotiations are still ongoing.
Unison members at Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Heriot Watt universities also voted for industrial action but missed the 50 percent turnout threshold by “the narrowest margins.”
Union representatives are currently meeting to review the ballot results and will announce next steps in the coming weeks.
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Napier University responded to union measures on Tuesday, claiming they are continuing work to negotiate fair wage increases for staff. “We understand the economic climate is difficult for staff, especially those on lower salaries.
“While we respect the right to take industrial action, we are disappointed it will have an impact on our students and other staff members. We will continue to work with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) to nationally negotiate a fair and affordable increase for our staff, advocating larger increases for those on the lower salary points.”
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