Unite members demand ‘Cambridge weighting’ supplement to match Oxford, as staff wages fall behind soaring cost of living

More than 500 Cambridge University workers will strike over pay from tomorrow, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.

The workers, including library, museum, estates management, finance, student services and IT staff amongst others, are demanding the introduction of ‘Cambridge weighting’. This is a pensionable local pay supplement for all staff to address the exceptionally high cost of living in the city.

The workers are also seeking a full pay review to tackle severe compression at lower grades which has resulted in a lack of fair wage progression.

Cambridge University has imposed a 1.4 per cent pay increase for 2025/2026, which is a significant real terms pay cut.

Unite 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 2024, the University of Oxford introduced a pensionable Oxford University Weighting of £1,500 per year. In August 2025, Oxford increased the payment by 15 per cent to £1,730 and extended it to all non-clinical staff.

Cambridge staff receive no equivalent, apart from a 2.5 per cent interim payment, which does not address the cost of living for those on a low salary. This interim payment can be removed at any time, due to no firm commitments to retain it permanently. 

Cambridge, like Oxford, is one of the most expensive cities in the UK – with rental costs 30 per cent above the national average – and Cambridge University can more than afford to introduce weighting.

The university had net assets of £8.26 billion at July 2025 and its endowment fund manages assets in excess of £4.5 billion and generated a net return of 9.1 per cent in 2024.

The workers will strike on 21 and 22 April, followed by further action on 30 April and 1 May. Picket lines will run from 08:30 to 12:30 at various locations across the university.

Unite regional officer Chris Hardwick said: “Cambridge University is entirely responsible for the disruption that will be caused to students. It can entirely afford to pay Cambridge weighting and help alleviate the severe cost of living pressures its workers are suffering but is choosing not to out of greed.

“This dispute will continue to escalate until the university follows Oxford’s example and introduces a supplement to support loyal and hardworking staff.”  

ENDS

For media enquires ONLY contact senior Unite communications officer Ryan Fletcher on 07849 090215 or 020 3371 2065.

Email: ryan.fletcher@unitetheunion.org

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham.