Research staff strike for first time in 30 years


Scientists and researchers at the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) have walked out in their first pay strike for more than 30 years. 


Seven hundred and fifty members of professionals’ union Prospect were joined by colleagues in the PCS union at 17 sites across the UK.


The action was to demonstrate the strength of feeling over pay levels that have fallen behind comparators and the council’s bid to remove pay progression – without consultation or compensation – and introduce performance-related pay.


The membership is unhappy that after a five-year pay freeze, the Conservative government has announced pay restrictions of 1% a year for a further five years.


Prospect national secretary Tony Bell said that members recognise that NERC is subject to government public sector pay policy, “but they are incensed by the council’s approach which aims to remove pay progression, without adequate consultation or compensation”.


www.prospect.org.uk/news/id/2015/September/14/NERC-pay-strike-well-supported

www.prospect.org.uk/news/id/2015/September/11/NERC-scientists-pay-strike-01114