I am chuffed to have signed this letter to the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and Universities UK (UUK) in support of the demands of the 70,000 University and College Union (UCU) members who have voted overwhelmingly to take industrial action.

They’re not just fighting for fair pay, working conditions, and pensions. They are also fighting for an education system that is not beholden to markets and profit, but to society’s benefit.

In a world renowned sector that is generating record income of £41.1 billion, staff should not be forced forced to take strike action to defend their pay, pensions, and working conditions.

As the cost of living crisis worsens and many university staff struggle to make ends meet, it is incumbent on Vice Chancellors – and therefore UUK and UCEA, as their representative bodies – to make serious investment in staff a priority.

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UCU: University staff vote for UK-wide strike action in historic ballot (24 October 2022)