Brighton University Support Staff Win Seven Extra Days of Paid Holiday

Support staff at the University of Brighton—including library, admin and IT workers—have secured a new agreement giving them up to seven extra days of paid annual leave, UNISON says. From September, all professional services staff on grades 1–9 will receive 30 days’ holiday from day one, reducing the gap with academic staff who get 35 days.

The change follows a long UNISON campaign highlighting unequal leave between staff groups. While the union calls it a significant improvement, it says it will continue pushing for full parity with academics. The agreement also includes a review of pay grade boundaries for lower-paid staff, with potential wage increases for facilities and domestic workers.

UNISON University of Brighton branch secretary Ivan Bonsall said: “Professional services staff are the backbone of the university. Despite their contribution, they’re treated differently to academic staff while often working longer hours and receiving fewer paid holidays. This decision is a step forward but UNISON’s fight for equal holiday entitlement continues.”