UCU campaign says Glasgow University lecturers are ‘underpaid, undervalued, and overworked’

The University and College Union (UCU) has kicked off a major campaign at the University of Glasgow, demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and job security for its “underpaid and undervalued” academic staff.

The campaign has sparked discussions around the rising pressure on lecturers, the increasing cost of living, and the growing divide between the salaries of senior management and teaching staff.

‘Underpaid and overworked’ staff

Teaching staff at the University of Glasgow have expressed frustration over what they describe as “persistent pay inequalities” and “unmanageable workloads.” UCU representatives argue that university lecturers and tutors are seeing their salaries stagnate while the cost of living continues to rise, leading many to struggle financially. The union also highlights the reliance on temporary and part-time contracts, which leave staff with little job security or stability.

One of the core issues raised by the UCU is the widening gap between the salaries of senior university executives and teaching staff. While senior managers at Glasgow University earn large salaries, many academic staff are forced to rely on short-term contracts and lower wages that do not reflect the growing demands of their roles. According to UCU, this disparity is further compounded by staff taking on additional teaching and administrative duties without adequate compensation or recognition.

“There’s a serious disconnect between the management’s priorities and the reality of academic staff,” said Dr. Jenny Morrison, a politics and international relations lecturer at the University of Glasgow. “We’re being asked to do more and more for less, and it’s simply not sustainable. Staff are stretched thin, leading to burnout, stress, and declining mental health.”

Campaign objectives

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The UCU’s campaign centres on three key demands: A fairer pay rise that reflects inflation, job security for those on temporary contracts, and a reduction in workload to ensure a better work-life balance for academic staff. The union is also calling for increased transparency from university management regarding its spending priorities and greater investment in staff welfare.

The campaign comes at a time when student numbers have risen dramatically across the UK, putting additional strain on academic staff. UCU has called for universities to acknowledge the need for sustainable staffing levels that are matched to the number of students being admitted, ensuring that staff have the resources and support they need to maintain quality teaching.

UCU has organised a series of rallies, protests, and petitions across the university’s campuses, with support from both academic staff and students. “We’ve seen a growing movement on campus, with more and more students speaking out in support of their lecturers,” said Glasgow UCU President, Dr. Jamie Thomson. “They understand that when staff are under pressure, it affects the quality of education they receive.”

Student support and solidarity

According to The National, the campaign has also found strong backing among students at Glasgow University. A petition supporting UCU’s demands for fair pay and working conditions has already gathered over 1,000 signatures, with many students expressing concern over the impact of staff stress and burnout on their education.

“Lecturers are at the heart of our education, and we need them to be supported and valued,” said Emily Campbell, a third year politics student at Glasgow University. “If they’re being overworked and underpaid, it affects us all. We’re standing with our professors in this campaign because we know it’s the right thing to do.”

The call for action has also prompted discussions about the broader issues facing higher education in Scotland, where many universities are grappling with similar concerns about staffing shortages, pay gaps, and housing pressures for students and staff alike.

UCU’s next steps

If talks between the UCU and Glasgow University management do not lead to a satisfactory resolution, the union has warned that strike action could be on the table.

“We’re prepared to take further action if necessary, but our hope is that the university will recognise the seriousness of the situation and take meaningful steps toward improving the working conditions for academic staff,” said Dr. Jo Grady, UCU’s General Secretary.

However, UCU leaders argue that while the university claims to support its staff, current measures do not go far enough to address the underlying issues. “There’s no way to sugarcoat the fact that Glasgow University is failing to meet the needs of its academic staff,” said Dr. White. “The university’s response so far has been insufficient, and we need real change.”

As the campaign gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether the university will take the necessary steps to address the demands of its academic staff and whether UCU’s calls for fair pay, job security, and improved working conditions will be met.

The University of Glasgow has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Featured image via UCU Glasgow on X