Lecturers reject pay offer

'Old' and 'new' universities will have a single pay date

University staff have rejected a pay offer of 2.5%.

The pay offer from university employers has been dismissed by the Association of University Teachers as "paltry", when the union claims that academic pay has already fallen behind other professionals.

The union's pay submission had sought a 30% increase over the next four years.

"Employers tell us year after year that salary rises covering inflation are all they can afford. Many institutions continue to increase their reserves while spending less and less on pay," said general secretary, David Triesman.

University staff were working longer hours and teaching many more students, said Mr Triesman, but there was no corresponding increase in pay.

One-day strike

With low salaries contributing to recruitment difficulties, the union said independent assessors should be brought in to review what universities could afford to pay their staff.

Last year academics received an increase of 3.5% after the union had mounted a campaign of industrial action and a one-day strike in support of a 10% pay claim.

The university employers are also seeking to shift the pay settlement date for all universities to August rather than April.

At present, the 'old' universities' pay settlement date is 1 April, while the date for former polytechnics is 1 August.