University staff across the UK are to proceed with industrial action. The strikes are planned for the 24th, 25th, and 30th November. Organised by the UCU (University and College Union), these strikes are to be held in response to disputes over pay, working conditions, and pensions.

On October 24th, it was announced that the ballot verdict for industrial action was yes, with 81.1% of people voting in favour of industrial action.

Rallies held on the University of Birmingham campus raised awareness of the upcoming planned strikes and the problems faced by university staff not only at the University of Birmingham but nationally. The Birmingham UCU held a rally on October 12th, with the event encouraging both a yes verdict for industrial action and student support.

Redbrick spoke to the Birmingham UCU vice-president Andrew Olsen.

Redbrick: ‘You mentioned that the University of Birmingham has generated a £58.5m surplus (£60m last year), could you talk about what this means for the University and staff, and why it is important that these strikes happen?’

Andrew: ‘The University of Birmingham is not in a financially precarious position or short of cash, as a quick look at the yearly financial reports, available on the University website, will confirm.’

‘What the UCU is asking for is affordable. More than that, it is fair. Staff and students are in this together. We need to argue for a properly funded system that treats both staff and students fairly, attracts talent widely and prepares the next generation, on which we all very critically depend. That cannot be the project of a sector focussed very narrowly on exceeding financial targets and creating and expanding surpluses.’

R: ‘With current inflation, could you talk about how this has affected this year’s strikes? Has it called for more urgent action compared to previous years?’

Andrew: ‘Employers were perfectly aware of a looming problem with cost of living and the likely consequence of not engaging in meaningful negotiations at the time. The effect of inflation is dramatic this year, but only continues a long-term pattern of below-inflation pay awards.’ 

‘Since 2010 the consistent below-inflation changes to pay means a lecturer’s salary in 2022 is worth 36.5% less that it was worth in 2010. This is why staff are angry. It is also why many staff on lower pay grades or part-time casualized contracts, like students, are struggling.’

R: ‘These strikes are going to cause students to miss out on class time, how do you respond to this?’ 

Andrew: ‘Students are probably well aware of the dynamic of a strike. Forced with extreme conditions staff withdraw their labour. The principle that workers must be allowed to organise, and industrial action is recognised in law because it is also recognised that this is one of the only ways that workers can respond to conditions that become destructive and intolerable. It is one of the only ways to exert pressure for a negotiated solution.’

‘Staff are genuinely torn by strikes. They do not like interrupting the education of their students and they recognize that our interests (staff and students) are aligned. Staff are emotionally invested in their students. That is why using that bond to apply pressure on staff to acquiesce to unfair conditions feels so aggressive. At the same time, given the situation outlined above, there is little other choice. The issues have been known to University managers for an extended period, well before the onset of the COVID pandemic.’ 

‘We would encourage students to show support for staff, join us on the picket lines, and let universities and MPs know that you expect a serious effort to reach an agreement quickly.’

Redbrick further reached out to the University of Birmingham for a response to the upcoming strike action. A spokesperson said: ‘We know that staff and students are feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis, and we are committed to getting around the table and engaging with UCU.’

‘We’re disappointed that UCU have voted for industrial action and we will be planning to ensure that student learning is protected from whatever action is announced.’ 

The spokesperson also commented that the University has already raised pay above the national sector recommendations and have provided additional one-off payments for support staff in recognition of the impact of the cost of living crisis.

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