Over 500 University support workers, including library, museum, and estates management staff, are engaging in four days of strike action over pay.

The Unite union is demanding a “Cambridge weighting,” a pay supplement to address the high cost of living in the city. Members are also seeking a full pay review to address the compression of salaries at lower grades, which they say results in a lack of fair wage progression.

The first strike took place on the 21 and 22 April, with further action planned for 30 April and 1 May.

During this time, the University Library (UL) remained open but warned users to reserve material in advance. The Fitzwilliam Museum was closed, while the opening hours of other libraries were reduced.

The original plan was for a joint strike with the University and College Union (UCU) and Unison. However, Varsity reported in January that the other unions failed to reach the required turnout in their ballots.

At the time, Cambridge Unite told Varsity that it was “one of only a few branches in England” to meet the threshold.

Their spokesperson continued: “We are open to discussion and negotiation with the University and pursuing those discussions as a priority. Strikes are never a first choice, but we reserve the right to use our strike mandate for the improvement of staff pay and conditions.”

The strike ballots were initiated after the University and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA) offered a below inflation pay rise of 1.4%.

Unite emphasises that Oxford University introduced a pay supplement of £1,500 in 2024, which was increased by 15% in 2025.

The union’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “Cambridge University is exceptionally wealthy and can more than afford to provide a fair wage for its lowest paid workers and introduce a local pay supplement as Oxford University has. These workers have Unite’s total backing in striking to achieve this.”

In response, Cambridge told Varsity: “We understand the challenges around cost of living, and have introduced several measures in response, including a supplement of 2.5% of basic pay for employees on lower pay grades, raising the minimum starting salary for research assistants and increasing paid family leave.

“While we regret that the forthcoming industrial action looks set to go ahead, we remain committed to open and constructive dialogue with Unite around pay and other issues.”

Unite says the 2.5% supplement “does not address the cost of living for those on a low salary” and “can be removed at any time”. Its regional officer Chris Hardwick said the dispute “will continue to escalate until the university follows Oxford’s example and introduces a supplement to support loyal and hardworking staff”.

One of the workers outside the UL stressed that “the cost of accommodation here is extortionate” with “people paying £800 a month for a room in a flat share with five other people”. The worker continued: “It seems a little bit unfair that Oxford, which is not as expensive as Cambridge, has the weighting and we don’t.”

Asked about the disruption caused to students, they said they are “acutely aware of the needs of students”. They continued: “Paradoxically, there is little point if we don’t disrupt,” claiming that they were “sympathetic and to a point understanding” about the effects of the strike on students.

Another worker complained that “year after year, we’re actually just getting paid less all the time”. They continued: “I’ve seen people who have tried to take up a job and then aren’t able to because they suddenly find that actually they can’t afford, on those wages, to rent anywhere […] It makes it difficult to attract staff.”