Hundreds of Cambridge University staff protest over pay

Around 600 members of Unite, including library, museum, estates management, finance, student services and IT staff, are demanding the introduction of a “Cambridge weighting” allowance to address the high cost of living in the city as well as seeking a pay review.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Cambridge University is sitting on billions of pounds, but the workers who keep it running are struggling to keep their heads above water due to the incredibly high cost of living in the city.

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“Oxford University has introduced a local pay supplement to ensure workers can afford to live. Cambridge needs to as well. Unite will not back down until that happens.”

The workers previously took strike action in April and earlier this month, and Unite announced that further strikes will take place on May 13-15, 20-22 and 26-29.

A spokesperson for the University of Cambridge said: “We understand the challenges around the cost of living, and have introduced several measures in response, including a supplement of 2.5 per cent 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.”