A revised offer of a pay rise of 0.8% was tabled by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) on 9th May. (The initial offer of 0.5% having been rejected.) Along with other unions UNISON asked for an offer that would address the pay cuts – in all but name – that members have had to endure in recent years. Action has also been requested on the gender pay gap in Higher Education, the growing use of zero hours contracts, and the increasing workloads that members are facing.
UNISON’s Head of Higher Education, Donna Rowe-Merriman commented that more than 4,000 workers in Higher Education have earnings below the living wage. “We believe that many HE institutions that do not currently pay this basic rate could afford to do so”, she said. Donna added “…members are also facing the added pressure of job insecurity and the increasing use of precarious zero hours contracts.”
Members are being asked to work more flexibly and to accept changes in work practices in the name of improving the “student experience” and yet pay is being restrained and in real terms living standards and income are falling.
The two sides are due to meet again tomorrow, Tuesday 21st May 2013.
Recent Comments