Time to stand up for a better HE deal

UNISON is running a national ballot of our higher education (HE) members asking them to vote ‘yes’ for strike action to demand an improved pay offer after universities offered a pay increase of just 1.8% – well below inflation. Over two thirds of members who voted in our recent consultation rejected it.

In West Sussex, members at the University of Chichester are impacted by this ballot.

Ballot papers started arriving at home addresses from 9 September. If you haven’t received one yet, please call the ballot helpline on 0800 0 857857.

Along with the other unions, our pay claim was for:

  • a rise of RPI plus 3%, or a minimum increase of £3,349;
  • £10 per hour minimum rate of pay;
  • all universities to become accredited by the Living Wage Foundation;
  • a 35-hour working week;
  • action to close the gender and ethnicity pay gaps;
  • action to reduce excessive workloads and combat stress.

It’s important to have a high turnout for the ballot to show employers the strength of feeling against their unacceptable offer.

Please make sure you send in your vote as soon as possible. If you know of any non-UNISON colleagues who would like to vote, they can join us before 22 October to receive a ballot paper.

We are organising UNISON stalls at the Chichester and Bognor campuses during the ballot period:

  • Tuesday 8th October: Bishop Otter Campus LRC
  • Wednesday 9th October: Bognor Regis Campus LRC