Staff at Leeds Conservatoire to strike over 'false promises' and ‘two-tier workforce’
Staff at Leeds Conservatoire are set to take strike action after UNISON members voted in favour of a walk-out.
Studio technicians and performance assistants at the leading music education institute in Leeds are set to walk out tomorrow (Tuesday, February 3) for two days in a dispute over pay and conditions, UNISON said today.
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,” the union said. A 2023 restructure also led to many workers being transferred from direct employment to provider Luminate Education Group.
Staff who remained on contracts with Leeds Conservatoire, rather than Luminate, were told their pay would follow that of the transferred staff, but the union claims that this hasn't happened.
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.”
According to the union, workers remaining on existing contracts have received significantly worse pay offers, and have less annual leave than those on Luminate contracts. Leaving staff feeling “misled, undervalued and as though a two-tier workforce has been introduced,” UNISON added.
Luminate pay will have increased by almost 10 per cent in the period from 2023 and 2026, UNISON said. The remaining conservatoire workforce have seen wages rise just 3 per cent in that time, the union claimed.
Staff are due to walk out from 7.30am tomorrow until the early hours of Thursday.
A spokesperson for Leeds Conservatoire said: “UNISON members at Leeds Conservatoire are taking strike action on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 February 2026 in relation to pay. We respect the right of staff to take industrial action.
“Our priority remains minimising disruption and ensuring that students continue to receive a positive learning experience. We have put plans in place to support this.”