On Friday the 28 June support staff led by our sister union Unison UoB finally walked out over the University’s continued failure to make any offer on their 2018/19 pay campaign, which called for the University to become a Living Wage accredited employer; end the disgraceful outsourcing of staff at the hotel and conference park; take action on the gender pay gap; and make an improved pay offer for staff in bands 200 to 500.

Staff were on the picket lines from 5am, and the main strike rally included speakers from across the region calling on the University take action, including Birmingham MPs Liam Byrne and Preet Gill, Birmingham City Councillors Nicky Brennan Alex Aitken, Dudley Councillor Pete Lowe, together with staff from across the campus.

This was the biggest day of action the University has seen in many years. Please take some time to go through some of the videos and images from the day: UNISON Birmingham Uni Branch on Facebook

Further action is planned until management agree to hold serious negotiations with Unison. Unison members will be meeting this week to decide their next steps.

Donate to the strike fund!

A strike fund has now been set up and we urge all members to donate to this fund here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/uob-unison-strike-fund

As reported, support staff are facing increased deductions of 1/260 salary in their fight for fair pay and conditions and an end to outsourcing so every donation counts!

Help spread the word

Senior management are relying on staff not understanding what the strike is about and why what happens to support staff matters for all of us at the University . To counter this, we all need to share information on the strike action as widely as possible. Please talk to your colleagues, friends and family about the strike and the issues Unison are fighting for. And if you’re on social media, please so share updates on the strike and messages of support. Links to BUCU and Unison UoB’s social media accounts can be found beow:

On Twitter: @BirminghamUCU;  @BhamUniUNISON #UoBStrike
On Facebook: BirminghamUCU UNISON Birmingham Uni Branch