Higher education unions have written to the University of Bath saying they are disappointed and furstrated after writing to the university’s new chancellor Prince Edward about the widening pay gap between those at the top and bottom of the organisation’s pay structure.
The university’s UNISON, UCU and Unite branches say the prince’s role as chancellor and chair of the university court allows him to discuss any matter, including the lowest paid workers’ wages – as well as those of senior managers.
But the prince’s private secretary replied that it was not a matter over which a member of the royal family could have a view.
But the unions point out that previous chancellor Lord Tugenhadt, who stepped down during the summer, had been willing to discuss the issue and had spoken out about it in his farewell lecture
The university has one of the highest levels of workers paid less than the living wage of £7.65 an hour – while the vice-chancellor’s salary has risen to £356,000 a year.
That includes a rise of £101,000 – or 40% – since 2006/7. Over the same period, the university paid £212,000 as the employer’s contribution to her pension.
But most workers at the university have seen a real-terms pay cut of 13% over the past five years.
More than 1,200 of them earn less than the living wage, and many are on zero hours contracts with little job security.
UNISON and the other trade unions are currently in dispute with the national employers over a 1% pay offer and are actively campaigning for all universities to implement the Living Wage for their lowest paid employees.
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