Striking university staff say they are being forced to cut back on food and are struggling to pay their bills in an ongoing row about pay.
More than 20,000 University and College Union (UCU) staff took part in a walkout on Monday against what they called “punitive” pay deductions for taking part in a marking boycott over the summer.
More than 140 universities across the UK had been due to take part, but a last-minute deal was made leaving around 50 involved in the five day walkouts this week. The biggest turnout in the capital was at Queen Mary, University of London.
“I’ve not received full pay for five months for taking part in an entirely lawful boycott,” said Tanzil Chowdhury, a senior lecturer in law at Queen Mary told the Independent. “Over 70 percent of our workforce are on temporary contracts. I’d miss rent if I didn’t have the strike fund.
“I look after my parents and I’ve cut back on things like food, utilities and public transport. I’ve even had to ring our electricity provider to say, ‘I can’t make it this month.’”
It’s a sentiment echoed by his colleague Chris Moffat, a senior lecturer in history.
Mr Moffat, who has a partner and two-year-old child said: “Everything’s been affected. Nursery, mortgage payments, food and bills. I’ve been losing my salary since the 2nd of June. I only had fifteen essays to mark, and I could lose up to £15,000 because of it.”
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “We have seen many employers do the right thing. We are now urging other vice-chancellors to follow their lead.”
