UCL to take strike action from tomorrow

They’re demanding higher pay


The UCL staff who are members of UCU (Universities and Colleges Union) will be taking strike action on 25th and 26th May due to UCU’s rejection of this year’s national pay offer.

Employers made a final offer for a pay rise of 1.1%, with higher salaries being offered to those who are currently earning the lowest. The offer was rejected after just one meeting regarding the pay negotiations.

This final offer also promised a commitment to address the gender pay gap as well as the issue of casual and hourly paid work across the Higher Education Sector.

The lecturers taking part in the strike have expressed three key demands. These include ending the gender pay gap, reducing the proportion of staff on insecure contracts and a pay rise of 5% to make up for inflation.

UCL wrote about the strike action stating that: “UCL remains perplexed by UCU’s premature move to ballot before the final offer was on the table and is dismayed at its move to recommend industrial action before UCU members had even been presented with the full offer.”

23% of UCU members voted for strike action, and consequently, UCL have stated that “it is clear that the overwhelming majority have no wish for involvement in this action or a desire to damage outcomes for students.”

UCL has reminded staff that strike action is a breach of their contract and will result in no pay for each day they choose to participate in the industrial action.

Following UCU’s rejection of the offer, UNISON and Unite have also rejected the final offer and will be addressing the issue with its members in the coming weeks.