Thousands
of support staff in universities are set to receive pay increases of up to 5
per cent.
The
move follow negotiations between the Transport and General Workers’ Union and
universities.
The
T&G, which represents many of the caterers, cleaners, porters, security
staff, gardeners and other key workers, said the offer has been structured so
it has a significant ‘bottom-loading’ effect to ensure those on the lowest pay
levels benefited the most.
Chris
Kaufman, T&G national secretary and lead negotiator, said: "The
forgotten army is slowly being remembered. This year’s pay offer is a move in
the right direction against low pay, for respect and for fairness for the
future."
Universities
have promised to introduce a new pay scale from 1 August this year and have
given a commitment to reducing the working week in future.
The
final offer ranges from 4 per cent to 5 per cent for manual workers in the
‘old’ universities and 3.5 per cent to 4.7 per cent in the ‘new’ ones. In cash
terms the awards mean annual increases of £415 to £461 for staff at the ‘old’
and £400 to £470 in the ‘new’.
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