As you have been informed by the University, they intend to impose the 3 percent pay rise on employees. Unite are still in dispute over the pay rise and are currently running a consultative ballot at Lancaster, urging members to reject the offer and be prepared to support the rejection by going on strike.
We have emailed a consultative ballot to all members at Lancaster to gauge feelings. You can print off and return via internal mail to vote anonymously, send back via email or just express your view in an email.
We have also emailed a flyer with some further information as to why Unite are still in dispute over the pay offer.
Why Should I Vote Yes for strike action?
- You and your colleagues have suffered over a decade of below inflation pay rises. With the cost of living soaring to its highest level in living memory, it’s time to say ‘enough is enough’.
- You deserve better. You and your colleagues worked harder than ever during the worst pandemic in 100 years to keep students and staff safe and secure. The fact that student enrolment is returning to record levels so quickly is down to your commitment, dedication, flexibility and adaptability.
- You have earned an inflation matching pay rise and nothing less.
- The value of your pay has fallen – higher education staff have suffered real terms wage cuts of around 19.7% since 2010.
- Prices are rocketing. New forecasts suggest that energy costs could soar by 65 per cent, taking average energy bills to £3,244 this October, when the next energy price cap kicks in
- We’re in this together – You are part of a wider public sector fair pay fight. Unite members in the NHS and local government are also being balloted over pay. Unite is on your side and will support members on the picket line.
- All other higher education unions, UCU, Unison, GMB and EIS, have vowed to ballot or consult members too – paving the way for joint industrial action in your institutions. It’s what we’ll be calling for.
- 9% is not real – the offer is tapered so it is higher (up to 9%) at the lowest end of the pay spine. But this is only because HE institutions are obliged by law to implement the increase in the National Minimum wage. The real offer to this group of staff is still 3%.
- We have tried to negotiate a fairer pay rise and remain open to more talks. But UCEA has failed to play fair.
The closing date for the ballot is Friday 2nd September. Now is the time for action and Unite are urging you to reject the offer and be prepared to take part in strike action.
Thanks, your Unite Reps.