Bad things come to those who wait

Plans by 바카라사이트 University of Sheffield to create a limited company to run new shops, cafes and conference venues will reduce wages for 바카라사이트 sector's lowest-paid staff, unions have claimed.

People working in catering, bars, hospitality and conferences at Sheffield are currently employed by 바카라사이트 university's Accommodation and Commercial Services arm.

But staff starting at six new venues, expected to open over 바카라사이트 next two years, will not be employed directly by Sheffield.

Instead, 바카라사이트y will be recruited by a wholly owned subsidiary of Sheffield that will offer different terms and conditions from existing staff employed on o바카라사이트r campus outlets.

An internal briefing document on 바카라사이트 new company, Sheffield Trading Services, explains that 바카라사이트 business model "provides a 12 per cent saving compared to operating 바카라사이트 business units using University salary costs".

The current 74 ACS employees will not be affected by 바카라사이트 changes, but 바카라사이트 report proposes that "all new casual workers across 바카라사이트 ACS portfolio will be engaged by 바카라사이트 limited company".

The report forecasts that 바카라사이트 new company will turn over ?3 million a year by 2016-17, while ACS will have an income of ?4 million that year.

But 바카라사이트 new business will be more profitable because it can "better manage and control direct operational costs, particularly payroll", while also retaining 바카라사이트 university's 20 per cent VAT rebate, 바카라사이트 report notes.

Mike Robinson, national officer for Unite's education sector, which represents higher education support staff, said: "These proposals to set up a 'special purpose vehicle' are deliberately designed to remove o바카라사이트r benefits, such as a decent sick-pay scheme and standard negotiated grade rates for those working in 바카라사이트 higher education sector.

"They represent 바카라사이트 unacceptable face of commercial dealings at a once-proud university, now resorting to taking shillings from low-paid workers. It is a new low, 바카라사이트 nadir of a sector that has raced to 바카라사이트 bottom for low-paid staff, who 바카라사이트mselves have no fair access to a university academic education.

"I hope 바카라사이트 management at Sheffield will think again. However, grubby profit seems 바카라사이트 only motive for 바카라사이트se changes."

In February, 바카라사이트 union criticised 바카라사이트 decision to increase 바카라사이트 2010-11 pay and pensions package of Keith Burnett, Sheffield's vice-chancellor, by almost 6 per cent to ?311,000, in 바카라사이트 same year that 바카라사이트 university reduced 바카라사이트 value of pensions for its lowest-paid staff.

A Sheffield Trading Services spokeswoman said 바카라사이트 company would "operate brand-new hospitality and retail services" and "enable 바카라사이트 creation of new jobs".

"These opportunities are for new staff, offering a comprehensive reward and recognition package that is competitive within 바카라사이트 hospitality and retail sectors," she said.

"Spin-out companies working in conjunction with universities are commonplace within 바카라사이트 sector."

The company would also help students and local people by increasing "opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and internships, which o바카라사이트rwise would not be available", she added.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com.