Birmingham university support staff to strike on A-level results day

Striking staff from the University of Birmingham will walk out on Thursday as part of a dispute over pay and terms and conditions, says trade union Unison.

Those preparing to strike on the day – which marks A-level results day and the start of the university clearing process – include administrators, cleaners, catering employees and other support workers.

Unison said it has been attempting to reach an agreement with the university over its pay structure, but it has now reached a "stalemate", with university managers to only increase pay if other changes are to be made to working hours.

It comes as tensions have been rising following the university's recent decision to "cut the union out of the loop" by making a direct offer to staff, says Unison.

University bosses said they had reached an agreement with three trade unions representing support staff, but it had not been possible to agree with Unison on the reform of support staff pay.

Around 90 per cent of Unison members who took part in the ballot voted to reject the university's offer and take strike action, should negotiations fail.

Unison Birmingham University branch secretary Mike Moore said: "The university is one of the wealthiest in the country. Senior managers have been clear throughout that the contract changes are not motivated by any financial need.

"The fact that managers want to impose drastic changes to out of hours work and working hours is massively concerning.

"Staff haven't taken the decision to strike during clearing lightly. While no one wants to inconvenience students, everyone needs to be aware of the problems beneath the University’s impressive façade. Staff are underpaid and some are using food banks. That's why they're striking to bring about the pay rises they desperately need."

The University of Birmingham has said it was "not possible" to agree with the union on the reform of support staff pay, but that it will increase wages for all support staff from this month.

A spokesman for the university added: "The University of Birmingham has worked hard to reach agreement with all three Trade Unions representing support staff, but it has not been possible to agree with Unison on the reform of support staff pay.

"However, we are increasing pay for all support staff from this month, as well as providing those colleagues with the opportunity to move onto new pay scales, and terms and conditions or remain with current arrangements.

"The changes are voluntary – nobody is compelled to accept the proposed changes, and there are no changes to working hours.

"For those staff who accept the university’s offer, pay will rise in the range seven per cent to 22 per cent – an increase which is largest for those on low pay and ensures that the University is highly competitive with other large employers in the West Midlands.

"For those support staff who do not accept changes to terms and conditions, pay will rise by six per cent. Only a small proportion of staff are affected by the terms and conditions currently in dispute.

"The changes to terms and conditions modernise outdated arrangements, as well as making payments fairer and more transparent."