New pay rates in higher ed

New higher education pays rates come into force today, following the earlier agreement over the pay award for 2014-15.

The effect on the on the 51-point pay scale means that from 1 August:

  • pay rates for all staff covered by the higher education national agreement will be increased by 2%;
  • point 1 of the pay spine will be increased by a further £60 – bringing it in line with the living wage rate of £7.65 an hour in those institutions that have a 35-hour working week – equal to an increase 2.2%;
  • London weighting – post 1992 higher education institutions that pay London weighting in line with the national agreement are recommended to increase this by 2%, pre 1992 institutions are not subject to national negotiations on London weighting;
  • UNISON is working to take the issue of London weighting in pre 1992 universities forward – members working in these insitutitons should contact their branch for more details.

As well the salary increase, the national employers and unions will look at the use of the bottom pay points, differences in weekly hours and hourly equivalent rates used by universities.

This will inform discussions on pay for 2015-16.

The employers and trade unions are also committed to joint working groups to examine the gender pay gap, casualisation and the use of zero hours contracts in the sector.

“The employers’ 2% offer should be seen in the context of other settlements, and as a building block for the future,” says UNISON national secretary Jon Richards.

“Our members are vital in delivering  world class services for students in UK universities and they deserve to be paid accordingly.

“UNISON demanded a pay rise above the government-imposed 1% pay offer, and we won a rise of 2%.

“We campaigned for those on the lowest pay to get a living wage and now thousands more will get it.

“UNISON, the main trade union for support staff in higher education, improves the lives of our members, both at work and at home.”

 

UNISON in education

Education pay