RGU Members Vote for Strike Action Over Pay

Higher Education pay campaign and strike ballot 2022 - Results

Members at both the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University have overwhelmingly rejected the employer's pay offer this year.

79.2% of Robert Gordon University members who voted, voted to reject the pay offer, and more than half of UNISON members voted, meaning the vote has met the threshhold for industrial action.

71.4% of University of Aberdeen members who voted, voted to reject the pay offer, however we were just two votes short of meeting the threshhold for industrial action.  Regrettably therefore even though members rejected the pay offer, industrial action cannot take place at UofA.

The branch committee will meet this week to decide on next steps and to co-ordinate industrial action with other branches in Scotland and elsewhere.  We will provide more information on what happens next as soon as possible.

We would like to thank everyone who voted to reject this derisory pay offer, which does nothing to address the severe cost of living crisis we are now going through, and comes on the back of years of below inflation pay increases, including a 0% increase in 2020, and just 2% in 2021. 

We trust that all members will now back this democratic decision and send a clear message to HE employers that this pay award is not acceptable, and that they must come back to the negotiating table with a significantly better offer.

On behalf of the
UNISON AUB Branch Committte

Categories: Ballot | Branch | Members | Pay | Strike

We're Worth More! Vote YES for Strike Action

The University and Colleges Employers Association have made their final pay offer: a below-inflation pay rise of 3% for most Higher Education staff and between 9% and 3% for those on pay points 3 to 19. They didn’t offer any more during the dispute process and will now impose this pay increase on 1 August 2022.

With RPI inflation at 11.8% and your pay only set to go up by 3% this pay rise is a pay cut. The higher increases on the lower spinal points are partly being proposed to keep pay at legal rates – we think you’re worth more than that.

Vote YES to strike for the pay you deserve.

Higher Education Strike Ballot 2022

Categories: Ballot | Branch | Members | Pay | Strike

Not Good Enough! Vote YES for Strike Action!

What did you think of the latest higher education pay offer for 2021/2?

Not good enough. That’s what we think. A measly 1.5% pay rise – for the majority of staff – is all they think you’re worth. With inflation running at over 3%, this is a real terms pay cut. Plus the value of HE pay has fallen by over 17% in the last 12 years.

To add insult to injury, hard-working university staff are now facing a massive increase in living costs as they face a double whammy of rocketing gas and electricity prices as well as increasing national insurance payments of 1.25% from April 2022.

We can’t wait any longer, 1.5% isn’t going to cut it and we need to let them know now by standing together.

Vote YES to strike for the pay you deserve.

Higher Education Strike Ballot 2021

Categories: Ballot | Members | Pay

Vote YES to strike for the pay we deserve!

This week, you should receive a ballot for industrial action on the ‘zero offer’ for the pay year 2021. I am sure you will also receive numerous communications from the employer that seek to undermine UNISON’s campaign for fair pay for university staff.

UNISON senior representatives are adamant that the 0% for 2020/21 deserves to be challenged, and based on the results of consultations with members, our branch has opted to join this strike ballot.

University finances have withstood the various crises brought on by the pandemic, and other parts of Scottish public services still awarded pay rises of 3% or more in 2020/21.

Your colleagues in further education, in a sector that reports to the same Scottish Funding Council and same Scottish Government minister, received 2% or £750, whichever was greater. They also won further improvements in their secondary terms and conditions. This shows it is possible to protect jobs and deliver pay settlements much better than 0%.

In that context, the intransigence of the universities at UK negotiations cannot be justified. A slightly improved offer for the following pay year (again, below other pay offers in Scottish public services) does not make the 0% right.

When your ballot arrives at home, please vote YES as soon as you can, and let the branch know that you have voted so we don’t need to contact you to follow up.

If you’re not minded to vote for action, please still vote, as low turnouts make us look weak, and encourage employers to make further insulting offers to hard-working staff.

Please also encourage your colleagues to use their vote, and to join the union if they haven’t already.

HE Pay Ballot 2020/21   #WorthMoreThanNothing

Categories: Ballot | Pay | Members | Campaigns

Vote NOW for Better Pay!

Why you should vote YES for strike action... The offer is a real terms pay cut   - The pay offer just 1.8% (with lowest paid staff between 1.8 and 3.65%)   - Find out how much you have lost using our PAY CALCULATOR Our pay claim was much higher than the offer   - The joint union claim was for 3% +RPI, or a minimum increase of £3,349 UNISON believes we should reject the offer and vote YES for strike action Your ballot papers should be with you already - if you haven't received them please contact UNISONDirect on 0800 0 857 857  EVERY VOTE COUNTS   We need the strongest possible mandate to show the employers the strength of feeling about the pay cuts in HE  Also, under new Tory legislation, over 50% of members eligible to vote must return their ballot for the vote to be valid.  Don't leave it to one side - return it immediately! Make sure all your friends and colleagues vote YES for strike action. UNISON Higher Education Pay Ballot     UNISON Higher Education

Categories: Ballot | Pay | Campaigns

Vote NOW in the HE Pay Ballot 2019

Vote ONLINE in the UNISON Higher Education Pay Ballot   Why you should vote to REJECT the pay offer... Staff in our world-class university system deserve a decent pay rise. You’re certainly due one as the value of your pay has not kept up with the cost of living. That’s why UNISON, along with the other unions, has pushed hard to get a decent pay rise for all staff working in higher education. UNISON has also been calling for a £10 per hour minimum rate of pay and for all universities to become Living Wage Foundation accredited. But your employer won’t stump up. Instead they’re offering a rise that falls short. University employers have offered the majority of the staff a rise of 1.8% with lower paid staff being offered between 1.82% and 3.65%. Full details can be found at unison.org.uk/payupnowforHE We need to demonstrate right now that staff aren’t willing to accept another inadequate pay rise that doesn’t keep up with rising costs, or catch up with the pay you’ve already lost. We are consulting all UNISON members working in higher education across the UK. Are you willing to take strike action to show your employer your goodwill has been stretched far enough, and that you deserve a proper pay rise? UNISON’s higher education service group executive recommend that you reject the pay offer in the consultation, to campaign for an improved pay deal.  EVERY VOTE COUNTS   We need the strongest possible mandate to show the employers the strength of feeling about the pay cuts in HE  Make sure all your friends and colleagues vote to REJECT the pay offer. Vote ONLINE in the UNISON Higher Education Pay Ballot     UNISON Higher Education

Categories: Pay | Members | Consultation

Higher Education Ballot Result

UNISON members working in higher education in England, Scotland and Wales have voted for industrial action to press their wage claim – but the turnout wasn’t enough to meet the threshold for strikes set out in the 2017 Trade Union Act.

That act does not apply in Northern Ireland, and the union is still awaiting the result of its ballot of members there.

UNISON’s higher education service group executive considered the result in England, Scotland and wales and stated: “We would like to thank those activists, branches and regions that put in significant work to achieve the result.

“Unfortunately and frustratingly the government’s anti-democratic trade union laws, which impose a very high turnout threshold, mean that we are not able to fulfil our members’ wishes.”

It also warned that “this outcome will only further fuel the anger of our members who face yet another year of a below inflation pay rise. No university should be pay any staff less than the living wage and employers should be ashamed that some of their staff are forced to go to food banks.”

UNISON’s higher education branch seminar next week will review the pay campaign, “take heart at the positives and build for the next pay negotiations,” the executive noted.

“This result will inform our approach to next year’s pay negotiations and the employers should be in no doubt that we will again call for action if the HE employers do not meet our aspirations for a fair above inflation pay offer.”

Categories: Campaigns | Pay