Over 450 employees at Cambridge University have announced a four-day strike due to a wage dispute, according to their trade union's statement on Wednesday. The union has cautioned that

this action could lead to disruptions in various facilities, including the library and IT services.

The strike action will impact several departments within this renowned 800-year-old institution, including engineering, the Fitzwilliam Museum, estate management, and IT, as reported by the Unite union.

Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham expressed the union's stance, saying, "For over a decade, Cambridge University has provided pay increases that fall below inflation rates, and our members have reached their limit."

The university, which boasts 121 Nobel laureates among its academic and affiliated members, is proposing a pay raise in the range of 5% to 6%, as confirmed by the union.

The strike is scheduled for October 24, October 26, November 1, and November 7 and is expected to disrupt services for both students and staff, potentially leading to the closure of certain university buildings.

Cambridge University has not provided an immediate response to requests for comments.

This strike is part of a larger trend of industrial action across the UK, as inflation continues to outstrip wage increases. Over the past year, thousands of staff members in British universities have been embroiled in disputes related to pay, pensions, and working conditions. Photo by ptwo from France and India, Wikimedia commons.