Frequently asked questions about the strike ballot
Below are some of the main questions we expect members and others to have about our strike ballot. We’ll be updating this as we receive more questions and will add a contents page at the list grows.
Check back regularly and if your question is not answered below, please contact us at unisonbham@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
What is the ballot about?
The ballot is about our pay talks for 2023-2024 (the rise that should have been implemented in August 2024). Talks for this year were very delayed and the University also made an offer which involved part of the pay rise being implemented in March.
The final offer was made in [date and link]. We also tried to explore concessions on other areas that would have helped reassure members that they were being listened to – this included things like [list from consultation[
Why is UNISON balloting about this offer?
We are a democratic organisation and the decision to move to a ballot was made by members. This came as part of our pay consultation that finished in [date].
Members and the committee have tried as hard as we can to avoid the need for a strike ballot – we gave the University ample time to come back to us and we would have seriously considered any serious offers on pay or conditions.
Unfortunately they will not improve the pay offer, and on conditions we have only had offers so far of talks with no concrete commitments.
What pay offer would UNISON have accepted?
In our members meetings, UNISON members voted in favour of demanding all members receive at least a 6% pay rise, along with concrete promises in our other negotiations.
With national talks for this year resulting in a 1.4% offer, we are also concerned that we could fall further behind when our local negotiations start.
How will I receive my ballot paper?
As this is a legal strike ballot, voting will need to take place by post. All eligible members will receive a ballot paper to the home address on their UNISON record. The envelope will have CES (the logo for Civica Election Services, who manage the ballot independently) in the top corner.
When will the ballot start and finish?
The strike ballot will open on Tuesday 3 June (it may take a few days for ballot papers to come through).
It will end on Tuesday 8 July – all votes need to be received by this date so get your ballot paper in the post in good time before then.
I’ve not received my ballot paper, what should I do?
Your ballot paper will take a little while to arrive. If you’ve not received it by Friday 6 June, contact us at unisonbham@contacts.bham.ac.uk or 07964926949 and we can request for an additional one to be sent to you.
How do I vote?
Voting is simple – you just need to choose whether you agree or not with us taking strike action, and then post your vote back using the prepaid return envelope.