97% strike vote at Manchester international student college

An incredible 97% of UCU members voted to take strike action in a ballot that saw a turnout of 83%. The union said strike action can now only be avoided if management agrees to pay staff fairly.

The dispute is over a paltry 2% pay award for 2025. INTO Manchester has refused to make an improved offer despite charging international students up to £38k per year, making over £20m last year and paying out £15m in dividends.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Our members' work has generated over £20m in profits for INTO Manchester, but management think it's acceptable to offer them a real terms pay cut while £15m is leached off in dividends.

'Students and their families, who pay very high fees to study at INTO, expect their teachers to be on a decent wage, and 2% just doesn't cut it. Management now needs to look at this huge strike vote and come back to the table with a serious offer to avoid any disruption.'