UNISON’s Higher Education members 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.
The agreement is set to benefit 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 2013, and February this year.
UNISON Head of Education, Jon Richards, said:
“Today represents a significant milestone in our campaign to end to the pay freeze in Higher Education but our fight will not end here.
“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.”
ends
Notes to Editors
*The Living Wage is £7.65 and £8.80 in London.
Workers employed on the lowest pay scales who work a 35 hour week will now be paid the Living Wage.