University support staff in Liverpool and Manchester balloted on strike action

Support staff at universities in Liverpool and Manchester are being balloted on strike action in a dispute over pay.

Unison says that higher education workers including cleaners, IT technicians and library staff are to vote on whether to take industrial action after university employers put forward a wage rise "way below" inflation.

In all 14 universities in England are being balloted for industrial action as part of the dispute, in a process ending next month.

Unison said higher education workers including cleaners, IT technicians and library staff are to vote on whether to take industrial action after university employers put forward a wage rise "way below" inflation.

The 2023/24 pay offer is worth between 5% and 8% depending on salary level, with lower paid workers getting the highest percentage rise, said the union.

Unison's head of education, Mike Short, said: "For years university support staff have received wage rises far below the cost of living.

"As bills and the cost of food continue to go through the roof, it's essential that employers come up with much more than this inadequate sum.

"Staff are already leaving for better-paid jobs in supermarkets, warehouses and coffee shops.

"If universities don't start paying more competitive wages, the sector risks a staffing crisis that would spell disaster for millions of students."

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