🤔 How do I go on strike?
Before the strike:
- Coordinate with other branch members on your team, but don’t tell your manager or the rest of your team. The point of industrial action is to disrupt normal operations as much as possible. Remember that the action we are taking ultimately benefits all university staff. However, we recognise everyone’s circumstances are different so do what is best for you.Â
Strike day:
- (Optional) come and collect placards, leaflets, and merchandise from the branch office (1D Priory Road, BS8 1TX)
- Join a picket line. You may want to join the picket closest to your normal workplace, or you may wish to join the large pickets outside Senate House and the Wills building.
- Make some noise!
After the strike:
- Inform your line manager of the days you were on strike
- Collect your strike pay cheque (£50/day) from the branch office
Why should we strike?
This year’s negotiations with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) resulted in a measly 1.4% pay rise. With RPI inflation sitting at 4.6%, this ‘pay rise’ is a 3.2% pay cut.
Each year, we earn less and less.
The last time we received an above-inflation pay rise was 2008. This means each year the University of Bristol has asked each of us to do more work for less money.
Other sectors have seen gains in 2025.
Higher Education received a lower pay offer than any other public sector. In 2025 teachers received a 4% rise, Prison officers 5% rise, the Judiciary 4.75%, Armed forces 4.5% and NHS staff 3.6%. We contribute to the education of our future and deserve adequate pay to do so.
We are worth more – striking will make our voices heard.
What happens during a strike?
When we strike, we want to have picket lines that are bold, loud and proud!
Organised pickets are a collection of staff outside various locations around the University, where you can meet with colleagues who are also on strike, listen to some tunes and promote our cause to the general public and other staff and students. We are planning to have some events you can attend after each picket so we can keep the fun going!
You are free to do whatever you are comfortable with, and there is no pressure to take part in a picket if you don’t want to and you can simply stay at home.
Can non-Unison members and members of other unions strike with Unison?Â
You can only strike as a member of the trade union that has been balloted and voted to strike, while meeting the 50% participation threshold. If you want to act now to fight for better pay and potentially take part in the strike, you must join Unison before you participate in any strikes.
Will striking staff members lose money on any of the days they’re striking?
The current Unison National Executive Committee (NEC) has allocated £50 a day for striking workers.
What do we do about non-striking colleagues who want to ‘cross the picket’?
There is a long-established principle that colleagues who cross a striking picket to work are undermining the strikers cause and doing so in a way that disrespects the strike.
We strongly encourage you to chat and engage with non-striking colleagues to be considerate to the strike and not work on campus on the striking days, nor do any additional work that would otherwise fall to someone striking.
Similarly, as those participating in the strike, we respect that not all colleagues will have the same analysis and we respect their right to keep working. They should be treated politely whilst we discourage them from crossing the picket.
What is the point of striking?
We have more power together than we do when we are apart.
By coming together as a collective to and withdrawing our labor we demonstrate the essential role we play in the running of the University. By walking out together we show management that the University cannot function without us, and that we deserve fair pay that rises in relation to the cost of living.
Will the strike help?
The last time we took strike action in 2023, we saw the employer coming to the table to offer us better pay and conditions than we had before. The threat of a strike can strengthen our hand in further negotiations and the more people who participate in a strike together, the more effective it will be .
It is vital to our success that all members participate in the strike, whether or not they voted for strike action. Striking has helped the university recognize the mood of staff, the power of withdrawing our labour and bought us back into negotiations.
Do I need to tell my manager I am striking?
You do not need to tell your manager that you intend to strike. In fact, we would recommend you don’t so your actions can be more effective. However, we recognise everyone’s circumstances are different so do what is best for you.
Aren’t strikes just troublemaking and selfish?
Strikes have been covered negatively by the media for a long time, and that’s why many people now see them as unnecessary disruption and selfish troublemaking.
This is not the case.
If you work for a living, then trade unions, and the possibility of taking strike action, are your only way to push back against falling wages, worsening conditions and decreasing job security. That’s because, when you get together with your colleagues and show that your organisation cannot function without you, then you are demonstrating your value to your employer, and that they must offer you pay and conditions that are acceptable and sustainable.