Unite has today announced that around 400 members employed at the University of Strathclyde will take strike action. 

The Strathclyde workers will strike from Monday, November 6 until Friday, November 10 as part of a UK-wide pay dispute.

Unite’s members involved in the pay dispute include technicians, cleaners, security officers, and janitors.

The vast majority of Unite’s members in further and higher education across Scotland have had a five to six per cent pay offer. However, despite local negotiations with the University of Strathclyde to secure an improved pay deal, Unite confirmed that ‘insufficient progress’ has been made to avert the latest round of strike action.

This follows the previous rounds of strike action at the university on September 13, 14, 15, 18 and 19 and October 5 and 6. 

Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “For years our members in further and higher education have been underpaid. Members at Strathclyde University are determined to get a decent pay offer, which they fully deserve.

“Unite is fully supporting our Strathclyde members in their fight for better jobs, pay and conditions.”

Unite regional officer, Alison Maclean, added: “Strathclyde University could have sorted this pay dispute a long time ago but they have chosen not to. This latest round of strike action will cause a whole week of disruption to students and staff during graduation week.

“Our members have been left with no other choice but to take a stand and the university have deliberately put in place roadblocks despite our efforts to sort this dispute through negotiations. 

“Unite has been prepared to undertake local talks in an effort to resolve a national dispute but there has been insufficient progress made to avert this latest round of strike action.  We urge those who control the university’s purse strings to make an improved pay offer before this dispute escalates even further.”

Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said: “Over 140 Higher Education Institutions are represented by UCEA in pay talks at a UK level. It will be disappointing, therefore, if some Unite members at the University of Strathclyde choose to participate in this industrial action. 

“This year’s pay uplift of 5 - 8% prioritised the disproportionate effect of high inflation falling on the lower paid. Nearly half of the uplift was delivered six months early to address cost of living pressures. Around half of HE staff on the New JNCHES spine will also be eligible for pay progression, typically worth 3% on top of the base pay uplift. The remaining portion of the 2023-24 uplift was implemented from, 1 August.

“UCEA’s priority is to work with Unite and the other four trade unions (EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON) on a number of important pay-related matters. Good progress was made earlier in the year on the review of the pay spine, workload, contract types and further action to reduce the already falling pay gaps in the sector. UCEA is ready and waiting to resume this work with the unions.

“We also urge all trade unions to join us in prioritising the independent review of sector finances. A crucial element of resetting industrial relations in the sector is developing a shared understanding of affordability.”

A spokesperson for the University of Strathclyde said: “Whilst we recognise the right of union members to take industrial action, we are nonetheless committed to taking all necessary steps to mitigate the disruption that strike action or action short of a strike may have on our students and their studies as well as on our staff and the operations of the University”