Created on: 12 Aug 2025
Colleagues, we must take a stand against the paltry pay uplift that employers have offered, and which they look set on imposing on you once again. The only way to do this is by rejecting the 1.4% offer and by voting yes to taking strike action.
The current offer is not just disappointing; it is an insult to the skilled and difficult work you do every single day. In a climate of rising living costs, stagnant wages effectively mean a pay cut, a reduction of your standard of living by the erosion of your salary’s purchasing power over time.
This real terms pay cut was highlighted in my last email; there is over a £16,000 pa difference between wages matching RPI inflation and what you are set to receive (for someone on pay scale 43 since 2015). We need to remember that this disparity is cumulative, an ever-increasing gap each year going forward if we do not seek a restorative pay increase, one which needs to sit above current RPI inflation figures. Members are highly qualified professionals at the cutting edge of their subject areas who dedicate themselves to their students and scholarship, and the remuneration must reflect that value.
For too long, the dedication and commitment of lecturers has been taken for granted. We have seen workloads increase, resources stretched, and real terms pay diminish. Accepting this sub-standard offer would signal that we are content with this erosion. It’s not just about a percentage point; it's about valuing the professionalism of staff, attracting future talent, and ensuring that the educational standards across HE is maintained. We owe it to ourselves and to the future of higher education to demand a fair and equitable pay settlement.
That is why a strong mandate for industrial action is the only way to demonstrate the strength of our resolve and force employers back to the negotiating table with a genuinely improved offer. History shows us that significant gains are rarely achieved without collective action and a willingness to fight for what is right. Your vote for strike action is a vote for your worth, your profession, and a better future for all EIS ULA member
This is our moment to unite and make our voices heard loud and clear. Your active participation in this ballot is crucial. Let us stand together, reject this inadequate offer, and show that we are prepared to fight for the decent pay uplift we deserve. We have the power to effect change, but only if we act collectively and decisively. Let’s send an unequivocal message that we will not accept anything less than a fair deal.
Vote NO to accepting the offer and vote YES to taking strike action.