More than 200 Imperial College workers, who are members of Unite, the UK’s leading union, will strike over pay next week.
The workers have rejected an ‘abysmal’ pay deal of 5.5 per cent, which is a real terms pay cut when the real rate of inflation, RPI, stands at 9.1 per cent.
Imperial College’s latest financial figures shows it brought in an income of over £1.2 billion for 2021/22 and had cash reserves of £1.7 billion.
Further, Imperial College has a record of being one of the best paying universities for senior leadership staff. Until July 2022, the university employed the UK’s highest paid executive leader with an annual pay package worth £714,000 – a massive increase of 35.5 per cent on the previous year.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Imperial College is extremely wealthy and can more than afford to put forward a fair pay offer. That Imperial College management hand themselves huge salaries while denying their lowest paid workers a reasonable increase is astounding. Imperial College must improve on this abysmal pay deal.”
The workers, including technicians and maintenance and security staff, will strike on Monday 2 October, Tuesday 3 October and Wednesday 18 October. They are striking alongside colleagues who are members of the UCU and UNISON unions.
More strikes will be scheduled if the dispute is not resolved.
Unite national officer Andy Murray said: “Imperial College has ample reserves to prioritise a better deal for its staff during a cost of living crisis and that is what needs to happen. Unite’s members are standing firm – strike action will continue until an acceptable offer is tabled.”
