University of Manchester staff strike over 'toxic culture' and pay and conditions

Strike action has begun at Manchester universities as staff complain about deteriorating pay and conditions - with two thirds considering leaving for good.

The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and The Royal Northern College of Music are all hit by five days of strike action over pay and working conditions and altogether, staff at 67 universities across the UK are striking.

The strikes comes as report reveals that three fifths of UK university staff are considering leaving the sector over pay and working conditions. Staff at the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music began a five-day walkout on Monday, March 28 over deteriorating pay and working conditions.

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Staff will be picketing main university entrances. Staff from the three universities will also assemble at Brunswick Park from 10.30am Friday, April 1 then march to St Peter Square for a rally. Speakers include UCU president Vicky Blake.

The UK wide strike action involving staff at 67 universities started last week when staff at 40 universities downed tools for five days and this is the third round of strike action this academic year.

The University and College Union (UCU) also warned of a staff exodus from UK universities after two thirds of university staff said they are considering leaving the sector. The finding comes from a new UCU report ‘UK Higher Education – a workforce in crisis’ based on a survey of almost 7,000 (6,761) university staff at over 100 institutions.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: ‘University staff are striking over falling pay and brutal working conditions. They have been