Oxford University staff on strike are demanding better pay at a time when they are really feeling the pinch.
Members of the University and College Union (UCU) at the University of Oxford were on the picket line demanding a fair pay deal, improved job security and the restoration of pension benefits.
Researchers on the picket line said they were struggling with their current pay in the difficult economic climate and wanted Oxford University to show greater appreciation for their staff.
The UCU confirmed yesterday that three consecutive days of strike would go ahead from Tuesday, February 14 at 150 universities across the country.
READ MORE: Strikes today: University staff and civil servants begin action
Emily Stevens, a post-doctoral biology researcher at Oxford University for three and a half years, said: “A lot of staff are on short-term contracts and I don’t think it is great.
“We have all noticed the cost of living, especially in a place like Oxford.
“There is a lot of mismatch between the amount we are paid and the cost of living in the city, which is a very expensive place to live.”
Ms Stevens, who is on a fixed term contract herself, said finding affordable accommodation in the city was very difficult.
She explained: “Getting accommodation close to work is very difficult considering the salaries we are on.
“Our pay has been cut by 25 per cent since 2009 and we have had a real-terms pay cut.
“A lot of people are really struggling.”
The pay rates are set nationally rather than by individual universities.
It comes as 70,000 staff are striking across the country and UCU entered Acas negotiations with the employer representative on Monday 13 and Tuesday, February 14.
Gavin Killip, researcher for the university’s environmental change institute, said: “The issues are related to the cost-of-living and pensions.
“The employers and universities across the whole of the UK do not listen unless you take strike action.
“People beep their car horns as they go pass and students have been generally supportive.
“We’ve been given cookies on the picket line.”
Mr Killip is optimistic the strike action will be successful in leading to better pay.
He said: “I’m the most positive I’ve ever been.
“I was striking in 2018 and 2020 and I think there is more chance this time round then we’ve had in the past so I’m optimistic.”
READ MORE: University of Oxford lecturers strike in dispute over pay
Mr Killip called on Oxford University to show greater “appreciation for their staff and return our pension to what it was before”.
Another researcher at the University, Alexis McGivern, said she wished the University was more aware of the impact of the cost of living crisis on staff.
She said: “I wish the university would engage more closely with the impact of the cost of living crisis and the fact that a lot of academics are really struggling.
“67 per cent of staff at the university are on casual contracts which makes it hard to want to stay in academia.
“It is currently very difficult to put down a mortgage, to put your kids into school and as an early career researcher. I just want to secure a better future for academia.”
A Maths PHD student, Sofia Marlasca Aparicio, regularly visits the picket line to show their support and brings cookies with them for staff.
They said: “I’ve been handing out cookies since 2019 when I was a student here for my undergraduate.
“I want to have a future in academia and the lack of security for pensions is not looking great.”
Aparicio said support for university staff striking amongst students varied across the campus.
They said: “I think we have seen some support on the picket lines and lots of students have brought food but it definitely varies across the campus.”
A University of Oxford spokesperson said: "The strikes in Oxford form part of nationwide industrial action related to pensions, pay and conditions.
"As such, this is not something that can be resolved locally, but we are working to find a solution at a national level as members of the relevant membership bodies.
"Separately, we recognise the concerns our staff have about the cost of living and made two additional payments in 2022, recognising the impact the crisis is having on them. we are also committed to enhancing working conditions in Oxford and are already actively addressing staff concerns in this area."
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