University staff extend strike action in dispute over pay

It is set to affect library, IT, school support, catering, security and other professional services.

Napier University staff extend strike in dispute over pay — Staff at Napier University in Edinburgh are due to take a further five days of strike action. iStock

4th Apr 2022

Staff at Napier University in Edinburgh are due to take a further five days of strike action this week in a dispute over pay.

It is set to affect library, IT, school support, catering, security and other professional services.

The university says the action is “disappointing” and a fair and affordable pay award has been achieved.

Following imposed 0% and 1.5% pay offers in the two latest pay rounds, university staff have received cuts in their real-terms pay.

UNISON Scotland said it sees university employers’ behaviour as clearly contrary to the Scottish Government Fair Work framework.

Lorcan Mullen, UNISON regional organiser said: “With inflation reaching 30-year highs and workers struggling desperately to pay the bills, university bosses have imposed year after year of real-terms pay cuts in UK-wide negotiations.

“Low and falling pay for working class staff on university campuses is an employer choice, not a necessity.

“Principals and vice-chancellors holding pay down for library workers and security officers see fit to pay themselves hundreds of thousands of pounds per year, well beyond the salaries of Boris Johnson or Nicola Sturgeon.

“UNISON members at Napier are again taking a brave stand against this clear injustice, against the cold intransigence of university bosses and for pay justice.

“We await a serious local response from this employer and call on supportive Edinburgh trade unionists and citizens to visit picket lines this week to show support and solidarity.”