Leeds Metropolitan University has become the latest university to show that money is available to reward higher education staff for their contribution to the sector’s success.
In a move that bucks the trend of claiming there is ‘no more money’ to resolve the pay dispute in the sector, the university has taken a decision to reward staff by making an extra ‘thank-you’ payment in the December payroll to all staff currently employed.
The payment will be £300 for anyone who works half time or above, and £150 for those staff who work less than half time.
The university has stated that during the last year it has “gone from strength to strength” including gaining the prestigious Customer Service Excellence Standard, which is a mechanism for improving the customer experience – in other words, the student experience.
The university became the largest university to achieve the standard, and the first in the north of England.
In addition it has been awarded an Investors in People gold award. Current figures show an operating surplus of just under £22m, which has increased from just over £9m in the previous financial year.
The university currently employs 2,174 staff (full-time equivalent) and has made the choice to implement the living wage, recognising the advantages this offers to being an ’employer of choice’ in the sector.
UNISON regional head of higher education Steve Torrance said: “We welcome the additional £300 payment, but our members’ contributions are not a ‘one off’ and neither should the reward be.
“We would much prefer to see any rewards consolidated into salary that can be relied upon in the years to come, in much the same way as the excellent service our members provide.”
Nevertheless, he added, “We have consistently said there is money in the system to pay our members a decent pay rise, and this move by Leeds Met shows that there is a will among some employers to do the ‘right thing’.
“We call upon those other employers to join with Leeds Met and instruct UCEA do the right thing and return to the negotiation table with a fair offer to resolve the current dispute.”
Higher education members have been taking industrial action in recent months after employers refused to raise an offer of just 1%.