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A UNION HAS CLAIMED A POOR PAY OFFER 'PUSHED STAFF MORALE TO A NEW LOW' 10:36, 04 Jun 2025 The University of Birmingham said it was 'deeply disappointed' by a
union's decision to ballot support staff on strike action. The workers - who provide vital services such as catering, cleaning and security at the university - were balloted yesterday,
Tuesday, June 3, after claims of a 'poor' and 'unacceptable' pay offer. Unison, the union representing the workers, claimed staff were offered a wage rise which would
bring the lowest paid to £13.06-an-hour. READ MORE: UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM STAFF TO BE BALLOTED FOR STRIKE ACTION OVER 'UNACCEPTABLE PAY' It claimed the "poor pay
offer" had "pushed morale to a new low" and said "many" were "seeing their income fall further behind the cost of living" despite pressures from their jobs
continuing to mount. The university told BirminghamLive it was "deeply" disappointed by Union's decision to ballot for industrial action. Article continues below It said:
"It is deeply disappointing that Unison has chosen to ballot for industrial action in relation to these claims which relate to last year’s pay settlement for 2024/25. "The
university values its support staff in the roles mentioned by Unison - as well as our academic staff." It claimed a pay dispute was settled in the summer of 2024 which increased pay,
committed to enhancing pension provision, reduced the working week to 35 hours and ensured the "equalisation of the sickness pay entitlement". It added: "The pension and
sickness absence entitlements were implemented within weeks of the agreement being reached, and the 35-hour week has been implemented with effect from June 1. "In addition, we have
committed to working with Unison on the concerns related to the workload of these groups of staff. We are also about to commence pay negotiations for the next year 2025/26." Jim Price,
Unison's West Midlands regional officer, said yesterday: "These workers provide essential services that keep the university going day after day. "While pay is at the heart of
the dispute, employees are also struggling with heavier workloads. Improvements to working hours and pensions were promised a year ago but have yet to materialise. "The university must
show goodwill by bringing in the changes staff were told would happen. "A poor pay offer has pushed morale to a new low. University managers should step up and resolve these issues
now.” Article continues below We have contacted Unison for confirmation of the ballot result.