University staff to strike for three more days
BBCStaff at a university will strike for another three days as a long-running dispute over pay continues.
Support workers at the University of Gloucestershire will walk out on Tuesday after rejecting a 1.4% pay offer, which trade union Unison said is below the level of inflation.
Following strike action last month, the staff - which include library assistants, administrators, and IT workers - will walk out until Thursday.
The university said it did not know how many members of staff will be taking part in the action but expected disruption to students to be minimal.
Unison said staff at the university have been struggling to keep up with rising costs for food, housing and energy.
It added it was "concerned" about the university's priorities following the "significant recent investment in the £75m City Campus in Gloucester while staff face another real-terms pay cut".
Tim Roberts, Unison South West regional secretary, said the walkout demonstrates staff are "not prepared to accept falling living standards".
"Workers keep the university running day in, day out; they deserve pay that reflects the value of the work they do, not an effective cut," Roberts said.
"The university must now use its influence to push for a better deal and bring this dispute to a fair resolution."
The nationally negotiated pay award was offered via the Universities and Colleges Employers Association and "reflects the unprecendented financial pressure on the higher education sector", the University of Gloucestershire said.
"We do not know how many staff will take part in the strike action because staff are not required to advise us in advance," a spokesperson added.
"However, we believe most of our staff understand the need to balance pay increases with ensuring the continued financial sustainability of the institution. Therefore, we expect any disruption to students to be minimal.
"However, as we've done during previous strikes, we will continue to keep our students informed should anything change."
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