Studio technicians and performance assistants at a leading music education institute in Leeds will walk out tomorrow (Tuesday) for two days in a dispute over pay and conditions.
A number of student support staff at Leeds Conservatoire are on different contracts to many of their colleagues, meaning they receive lower pay and fewer holidays.
A restructure at the conservatoire in 2023 led to many workers being transferred from direct employment to provider Luminate Education Group. The institution also moved away from a national pay negotiation body.
Those staff who remained on contracts with Leeds Conservatoire, rather than Luminate, were told their pay would follow that of the transferred staff, but this hasn’t happened.
UNISON says workers remaining on existing contracts have received significantly worse pay offers, and have less annual leave than those on Luminate contracts.
Luminate pay will have increased by almost 10% in the period from 2023 and 2026. The remaining conservatoire workforce have seen wages rise just 3% in that time, falling way short of cost of living hikes.
Staff are feeling misled, undervalued and as though a two-tier workforce has been introduced.
They’re due to walk out on from 7.30am tomorrow until the early hours of Thursday.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Brendan Cafferty said: “These workers were told their pay would be in line with colleagues whose contracts changed in the restructure.
“But that’s proved to be untrue. Many now receive lower pay and fewer holidays than fellow staff.
“They just want parity. Conservatoire bosses must change tune and make sure their rates are in harmony.”
Notes:
– Staff will walk out from 7.30am on Tuesday (3 February) until 12.30am on Thursday (5).
– A picket line will be in place outside the entrance to Leeds Conservatoire on St Peter’s Square, Leeds, LS2 7PD.
