Support staff at the University of Birmingham will vote on strike action between 3rd June and 8th July, after rejecting the University’s final pay offer for 2024/25.
The decision follows months of negotiations, with UNISON members overwhelmingly backing a formal ballot earlier this month.
The offer, which would raise the lowest hourly wage to £13.06, has been described by UNISON as “unacceptable”. The union argues it falls far short of addressing rising living costs, increased workloads, and broader issues around how the University treats staff.
UNISON says staff morale has hit a new low due to stagnating wages, unfair sickness policies, and broken promises—particularly over the delayed implementation of a 35 hour workweek, agreed nearly a year ago. No compensation has been offered for the delay, fuelling distrust.
The ballot covers grades two to five professional services staff – formerly known as support staff – including cleaners, administrators, security officers, caterers, and technicians. UNISON calls them the backbone of the university, responsible for essential services that keep the campus running.
Jim Price, UNISON’s West Midlands regional officer, said: “Staff are stretched to the limit and their hard work isn’t being recognised. We didn’t want to take this step again, but the University has left us no choice.”
While pay is negotiated locally, UNISON says national offers in Higher Education—like this year’s 1.4 per cent rise, the lowest in the public sector – set a worrying tone. Members fear that without pressure, there will be little progress.
The union is urging all eligible members to vote and is calling on the University to engage seriously before services, staff wellbeing, and student support are further impacted.
A University of Birmingham spokesperson said: “It is deeply disappointing that Unison has chosen to ballot for industrial action in relation to these claims which relate to last year’s pay settlement for 2024/25.
“The university values its support staff in the roles mentioned by UNISON, as well as our academic staff. The pay dispute was settled in the summer of 2024, with the university making an increase in pay as well as committing to the following improvements to conditions:
- Enhancement to the pension provision
- Equalisation of the sickness pay entitlement
- Reduction in hours to a 35 hour working week
“The pension and sickness absence entitlements were implemented within weeks of the agreement being reached, and the 35 hour week has been implemented with effect from 1st June. In addition, we have committed to working with UNISON on the concerns related to the workload of these groups of staff.
“We are also about to commence pay negotiations for the next year 2025/26.”
Featured image via Unsplash
