Vet school decision gives hope for Cambridge University staff on strike - worker
Staff are walking out for a fourth day in a row over pay
A worker at Cambridge University is hoping a recent student rally in the city can be used as inspiration in their fight for better pay.
Staff are on strike for a fourth day in a bid to get more help from the University to cover rising bills.
The walkout comes after students at the Cambridge University vet school rallied against plans to close down its veterinary training course earlier this year.
These plans were then scrapped.
"The recent decision on the vet school gives us a lot of confidence," David Jackson, who works at the Fitzwilliam Museum, said.
"It's encouraging to see the University listening when people speak out and the petition to save the vet school seemed to have a positive impact, so we're hoping they have the same impact with our petition over Cambridge 'weighting'."
Unite the union said it wants to see 'weighting' - a pensionable local pay supplement for all staff to address the cost of living in the city - introduced.
£50 increase in rent is 'lucky'
Around 500 staff have been on strike since the walkouts began last week, in the hope they get the same bonus as staff at the University of Oxford to cope with the cost of living.
One worker who is backing the strikes told us they're aware of some colleagues "going to food banks".
David is one staff member living and working in Cambridge, and is seeing costs rise.
"Right now, it's the increasing cost of heating, fuel, our rents just increased a few months ago." he said.
"We were lucky it was only about £50 a month, but for other people, they're getting hit a lot worse.
"The cost of living in Cambridge is so high, it's the second most expensive place to live outside of London, so small payments make a big difference."
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," it said.
For David, he hopes the message being sent by people like him is being heard.
"The cost of living is something that affects everyone in Cambridge, and I think it's understood where the University goes, other employers in Cambridge will follow," he added.
"I do think we're getting a lot of support from people who know we're setting an example their employees will follow."