UNISON members at the University of Birmingham will be taking strike action on A Level results day and Clearing, this Thursday 17th August.

We stand in solidarity with our colleagues in the University of Birmingham UNISON branch who will be taking strike action on Thursday, following senior management’s attacks on pay and Terms and Conditions.

In short:

• management are pushing for detrimental pay spine changes for support staff (changing the rates and structure of pay, alongside reducing increments for performance-related pay), which would affect the lowest paid workers at our university – more information here: https://uobunison.org.uk/pay-spine 
• management are seeking to change support staff’s Terms and Conditions and the allowances they are entitled to when working antisocial hours
• lately, management have pressurised support staff to accept the new T&Cs, individually, in exchange for a one-off payment by the 31st of August. UNISON have characterised this move as a ‘bribe’/inducement and pointed out that management are bypassing the recognition agreement with the support staff unions.

Thursday may be the first of many potential days of strike action that the UNISON branch are prepared to take.

The UNISON picket lines will start at 4.30am, and a rally will be held at 11.30am – with food, music, and supportive speeches. Please join the rally and consider not crossing the picket line.

Additionally:

• As we are undertaking ASOS, you have the right not to accept management requests to cover for the Clearing work of support staff colleagues; 
• You may wish to work from home on the day, so as not to cross the picket line (or arrange your workload so you can join the pickets in solidarity); 
• Spread the word about the strike and follow UoB UNISON’s communications and social media; 
• Contact the university, politicians, and anyone else who has decision-making power and/or who can influence the dispute.

For updates on the dispute, visit UoB UNISON’s website: https://uobunison.org.uk/