Give docked strike pay to students in financial hardship, say UWE staff

The UWE UCU branch has written to UWE vice-chancellor Professor Steve West, who is also president of employer body Universities UK, demanding he put all the wages he has taken from staff who went on strike directly into a fund to support students hit by financial hardship and in need of mental health and wellbeing support.

Last month UWE staff went on strike for three days over attacks on pay and poor working conditions alongside workers at 149 other universities in the biggest industrial action ever to hit higher education. Staff who have had their pay docked are demanding a pay rise to help them during the cost-of-living crisis. RPI is 14% yet university employers imposed a pay award of just 3% for 22/23. Professor West takes home over £330,000 per year.

UCU regional official Nick Varney said: 'Professor Steve West's £330,000 salary completely insulates him from the cost-of-living crisis staff and students are facing. Yet he has chosen to dock the pay of striking workers mere days before Christmas. He now needs to do the right thing and give that pay to students facing financial hardship this winter.'