UNISON and NUS are calling for every university in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to become accredited living wage employers.
As the new living wage rate was announced today, a new report commissioned by UNISON and the NUS reveals that more than half of universities (57%) have paid less than the living wage in the UK.
According to the report, 12,592 employees are paid less than the living wage by UK universities – this includes over 4,000 directly employed staff.
The median lowest wage of staff in UK universities is £7.39, well below the living wage.
Five universities have more than 500 staff paid less than the living wage, while in 39 universities in the UK more than 100 employees are paid below the living wage.
But the report also commends the universities which have been accredited as living wage employers since the UNISON/NUS campaign began. Among 17 accredited universities are Wolverhampton University, Hudersfield University and the London School of Economics.
UNISON, UCU and Unite have been actively campaigning for a living wage for low-paid workers in higher education as part of the current pay dispute.
“This research shows that while vice-chancellors are enjoying six figure salaries, many more university workers are at the bottom of the pay scale, struggling to survive on less than the living wage,” says UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis.
“The value of their pay keeps on falling, while the cost of basics such as food and fuel keeps on rising. UNISON is working hard with universities to bring in the living wage.”