Cancer researchers demand ‘world-leading’ pay

Wages have dropped by 16 percent in six years through restructing

Workers at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London are striking for nine days to demand higher pay from the world-leading institution. 

The Unite union members chanted “We fight cancer every day. We can’t do it for low pay,” as they marched through Knightsbridge in west London.

A crowd of primary school children came out to show their support and one bin lorry driver told the cancer researchers, “If it weren’t for you, I’d be dead”. 

Striker David works in buildings and maintenance, helping to keep the labs and offices running. He told Socialist Worker the low pay is “a slap in the face” when the ICR has hundreds of millions in cash reserves. 

“It’s meant to be world-leading, but they don’t pay world-leading money,” he said. “It’s a struggle. I’m looking to buy a house but I don’t think it’s feasible. You get pushed further and further out of London to try to find somewhere to live.”

“We work for a good cause but I need to eat,” he added. “I’m not asking for holidays in five star hotels, just to be comfortable and to not have to worry about money.”

Another striker, Lindsay, explained that pay has been kept down since bosses introduced a new pay structure in 2019 that didn’t allow people to progress. Pay in real terms has fallen by 16 percent compared to the RPI inflation rate in six years. 

She told Socialist Worker, “For a lot of people there isn’t any career progression and people can’t advance as they gain experience. At the same time, there is the cost of living crisis. 

“A lot of people are on short contracts of one or two years. Relocating is a challenge. It’s a very expensive part of the country to relocate to if there is no guarantee of work.”

Alex told Socialist Worker that pay restoration is a real concern for the workforce. But management had refused to come to the table or assess the union’s proposals. 

Leo agreed, “I enjoy working here because it’s meaningful. It’s my passion. But it’s disappointing to see how dismissive management has been.”

Danny told Socialist Worker, “I’ve worked here for 20 years. But I’m forced to look for a second job.”

He said that the salary is just not enough, especially given the high costs of living in London. 

“It’s our first ever strike,” he said. “Now we have a strong union with a strong rep and more of us are joining the union. We are proud of our union.

“I hope that even more people join. We should use our right to join a union and not let management do whatever they want.”

There were big picket lines this week at all three of the ICR’s sites, Fulham Road and Old Brompton Road in west London and at the Royal Marsden in Sutton, south London.

At the Sutton site over 100 people gathered with homemade signs and union flags on the first day of strikes. 

Strikes are set to continue next Tuesday to Thursday and the following Monday to Thursday unless their demands are met. The pickets are planning a rally on Tuesday.