Cambridge University staff to go on strike over bonus payment
Hundreds of workers are set to walk out from today
More than 500 Cambridge University workers are set to walk out from today (Tuesday) in a row over pay.
Library workers, IT staff and those in student services are due to strike, saying they want Cambridge to match the University of Oxford, which already gives a special bonus to help staff cope with high rents and bills.
Unite the union has claimed Cambridge University has imposed a 1.4% pay increase for 2025-26, which it said is "a significant real terms pay cut."
“Cambridge University is exceptionally wealthy and can more than afford to provide a fair wage for its lowest paid workers and introduce a local pay supplement as Oxford University has," Sharon Graham, Unite's general secretary, said.
"These workers have Unite’s total backing in striking to achieve this.”
University open to talks
Unite said in 2024, Oxford introduced a bonus of £1,500 per year for staff, before increasing this by 15% to £1,730 the year after.
The union claims Cambridge staff get a 2.5% interim payment that can be removed at any time, which "does not address the cost of living for those on a low salary."
Unite's members are set to walk out at different locations across the University today, tomorrow (Wednesday), April 30 and May 1.
A spokesperson for Cambridge University said it has introduced "several measures" to tackle the challenges around cost of living.
"(This includes) a supplement of 2.5% of basic pay for employees on lower pay grades, raising the minimum starting salary for research assistants and increasing paid family leave.
“While we regret that the forthcoming industrial action looks set to go ahead, we remain committed to open and constructive dialogue with Unite around pay and other issues.”
In February, hundreds of Cambridge University students rallied against plans to close its veterinary training course before scrapping the move.