Statement of support for Aber UCU action from Ben Lake MP – 31/01/23

I stand in unity with all UCU, NEU and PCS members who are striking today. We know that the disputes that have prompted this industrial action are longstanding.

Long before the current cost-of-living crisis university staff had suffered prolonged degradation of their pay and working conditions, and a decade of austerity has inflicted similar strains on all public services.

We know that pay for those working in higher education has fallen behind inflation by over 25% since 2009, pensions have been slashed, and over the same period workloads have risen. The same is true for those working in education and public services.

I believe UCU’s demands in its dispute are reasonable, realistic, and affordable – they are the least our university staff deserve. Decent pay rises, an end to insecure employment and fair pensions can and should be delivered.

The same is true of the action taken by NEU and PCS members, and with this in mind it is important to note that today’s strike action coincides with the TUC’s ‘protect the right to strike’ day. Union members across the UK are protesting against the UK Government’s plans to introduce strict anti-strike measures through parliament.

The right to strike is a fundamental right, and I strongly oppose the Government’s attempt to curtail the rights of workers. It is preposterous for the Government to talk about minimum service levels when a decade of austerity has undermined our public services terribly, leaving them falling apart at the seams. I will continue to oppose this deeply damaging legislation and will keep standing up for the rights of our keyworkers.

I am proud to show my support today for all workers taking action to defend their pay and conditions; to defend our public services and the higher education sector; and to protect the fundamental right to strike.