Unions secure 10% pay offer for higher education support staff
Negotiating by the Transport & General Workers Union (T&G) and other unions representing thousands of cleaners, cooks, gardeners, porters and university staff has led to pay rises of up to 10.6% for support staff in the higher education sector.
The T&G’s chief negotiator Chris Kaufman said the union would be recommending that its members vote to accept the offer in a forthcoming ballot.
“We are making progress for support staff in higher education so their role in the success of the universities is recognised, rewarded and really appreciated,” he said.
“This year’s talks were protracted and difficult. In addition to the pay increases this year we have won a commitment to reach a minimum wage of £6 an hour by August next year.”
The main elements of the one-year deal:
£500 increase where salaries are lower than £11, 500 per year
£450 increase where salaries are between £11,500 and £12,500 per year
£400 increase where salaries are between £12,500 and £13,200 per year
An additional 3% on all pay points on the old scales and new spine
10.4% in new universities (using the old national scales) from £5.31 to £5.86 per hour
10.6% in old universities (using the old national scales) from £5.27 to £5.67 per hour
7.5% in universities that have moved to the new single spine, from £5.33 to £5.73 per hour.
University employers have also stated their intention to reach a £6 an hour minimum by August 2006.
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If accepted in the forthcoming T&G branch ballot, the deal will be effective from 1 August. The other trade unions involved are Unison, GMB and Amicus.
By Mike Berry
