Living Wage win in higher education

Members of the public service union UNISON working in higher education have voted overwhelmingly to accept a pay offer that will see thousands of low-paid university staff receive the Living Wage and end a long running pay dispute in the sector. 

All staff will receive a consolidated 2% rise, while workers on the lowest pay scales who work a 35-hour week will now be paid the Living Wage of £7.65 an hour in most of the UK apart from London where the London Living Wage is set at £8.80 an hour.

The agreement is set to benefit staff, such as library assistants, admin staff, cleaners and catering staff in more than 150 universities across the UK.

The decision to accept the pay offer officially settles the pay negotiations for 2014-15, and draws a line under the 2013-14 pay offer that led to three separate days of strike action in October and December last year and February this year.

Jon Richards, head of education at UNISON, said although the agreement was a significant milestone, the fight does not end there.

“UNISON will continue its campaign for all universities to become Living Wage accredited employers and for our members to share in the success of the sector,” he said.

www.unison.org.uk/thousands-of-higher-education-workers-to-receive-the-living-wage