University of Bath agrees to reinstate living wage

UNISON has welcomed a commitment by the University of Bath to reinstate the living wage – currently £8.75 an hour – from next week, and seek accreditation as a living wage employer with the Living Wage Foundation. But the union, which represents some 300 staff at the university, warned that while this is an urgently needed first step towards addressing low pay, more must be done to tackle the well publicised inequality at the university. Commenting on the move, UNISON head of higher education Donna Rowe-Merriman said: “The scandal of low pay in the sector is something that vice chancellors across the UK can rectify by becoming living wage accredited employers. That alone will provide a pay rise for more than 10,000 people employed at UK universities.” The University of Bath began paying the living wage in 2015, but stopped when the rate was increased to £8.45 an hour in November 2016. The rate is set independently by the Living Wage Foundation every year, reflecting the cost of living. The university will now start paying the 2017/18 rate of £8.75 an hour from 1 May, in a boost for the lowest paid staff in accommodation, hospitality and estates. UNISON campaigning for the living wage But negotiation and consultation is still going on over enhanced rates for weekend working – so staff who work weekends will not necessarily see their pay increase. The three unions at Bath – UNISON, Unite and UCU – have all been campaigning for the living wage to be reinstat...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News education services higher education higher education pay living wage pay up now universities Source Type: news