A new survey of striking workers at the world-leading Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) has shown that many are missing meals or unable to pay bills due to the appalling level of pay they receive.
Over 300 staff across scientific research, laboratory support, and site management roles have been taking strike action this summer over a pay offer of just four per cent that sees many languishing barely above the London Living Wage. A new survey from the Unite union has laid bare some of the stark realities such low pay brings.
The survey among Unite members reveals that:
• 79 per cent are worse off than they were 12 months ago due to the cost of living crisis
• Nearly a quarter of have either fallen behind on bills or face a constant struggle to meet payments
• 20 per cent have less than £50 left at the end of the month and a further 10 per cent are in debt every month
• Over half worry about being able to afford their rent or mortgage
• Nearly half are turning down the heating in winter, skipping meals or borrowing money to make ends meet
Worryingly for the ICR, over 60 per cent of their staff are looking to leave their roles as soon as possible due to the dire circumstances they find themselves in.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "The ICR might be a world-leading centre of excellence, but when it comes to how it treats its staff it is at the bottom of the pile.
"It is rolling in money and pays its CEO a fortune yet sees fit to shortchange the very staff that ensure its vital work continues."
Due to the unwillingness of their employer to make a decent pay offer, staff will be taking further strike action from 13 July until 7 August.
This is despite the ICR having overall reserves of £500million, including £37million that they have admitted is available and unallocated, and it is paying its chief executive over £400,000 per year.
The survey also asked staff to describe their current situation and the difficulties they face. Comments included:
"I skip meals at work as I can't afford to buy things on site. I have, for all the years I have worked here, worked more than my contracted hours and never been paid overtime. Year after year I am expected to deliver more, it's just not sustainable. I am actively looking for another job."
"We are each living pay cheque to pay cheque; we cannot save, we rarely go out, and we cannot afford to go on holiday. We have not created the economic crisis but we are bearing the burden and it is intolerable. It is outrageous."
"I often work over 50 hours a week. Despite this, I find myself having to borrow money from friends and family, skipping meals, skipping loved ones' special occasions like weddings, baby showers, birthdays, etc because I can't afford transport and a present.
“I cry on the job at times because of the pressure to deliver outstanding work. I get home late and look at an empty fridge, having had no time to go to a discount grocery shop farther out of my way (I can't afford a car). I panic when I have to go to a regular high street supermarket and buy full price food items because I don't know if I can afford them. I am really struggling."
Unite regional officer Will Searby said: “For too long the ICR have taken staff for granted, suppressing their wages year on year. The results of this survey show the human cost of the employer’s penny pinching. The ICR has enough money to restore these workers pay several times over. Instead, it seems they are actively choosing to immiserate their workers.
"Our members will not stand this anymore, and thanks to their resolve they will be standing firm on the picket line until the ICR sees sense and pays workers fairly.”