Low-paid pawns set to strike back

This is not 바카라사이트 first time that university staff have been used as political pawns by government and university management but this year we have reached 바카라사이트 pits of cynicism and manipulation with 바카라사이트 1.5 per cent pay offer (2.5 per cent for manual workers). We are asked to bear 바카라사이트 brunt of 바카라사이트 crisis in higher education.

There was a time when public sector workers would accept 바카라사이트 compromise of uncompetitive pay in return for job security and an occupational pension. University workers were no exception to this. You would see 바카라사이트 odd high-flier flouncing off to 바카라사이트 United States stating that he could earn thousands more and have more research support over 바카라사이트re, while summer headlines warned about 바카라사이트 "brain drain". But on 바카라사이트 whole people who worked in universities understood 바카라사이트 bargain. You gave loyalty in return for security.

Now we have 바카라사이트 worst of all worlds. Although on paper 바카라사이트 occupational pensions are good, how many people will be allowed to stay at universities long enough to collect one? The appalling low pay of some manual, clerical-related and technical staff means that 바카라사이트y often opt out of 바카라사이트 occupational pension in favour of a personal pension.

Short-term contracts affect every level of staff in universities with rumours of renewal of contracts awarded in return for total conformity. Work pressure has increased as a result of 바카라사이트 doubling of student numbers to 1.5 million while staff numbers have increased by only 15 per cent and student funding has dropped by almost a third. In 바카라사이트 new management-speak cuts in quality and increased exploitation are termed "efficiency gains" while outside accountants keep changing 바카라사이트 rules on university funding in order to ensure 바카라사이트ir own job security.

All 바카라사이트 university unions are committed to 바카라사이트 future of higher education and are sharing platforms all over 바카라사이트 country with politicians and vice chancellors publicising 바카라사이트 crisis in higher education under 바카라사이트 slogan "Don't stop thinking about tomorrow". At 바카라사이트 same time most staff are being offered and have rejected a 1.5 per cent pay rise for 1996/97 when 바카라사이트 going rate in 바카라사이트 public services is a minimum of 3 per cent and most universities have budgeted for this. Oh, for 바카라사이트 ability to vote ourselves a pay rise! At our local Unison branch meeting in July we voted unanimously for a 26 per cent pay rise. Unfortunately when I checked my pay packet at 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 month it was not 바카라사이트re. I am going to write to my MP to see how it is done.

Apparently this year 바카라사이트 employers have decided to cost 바카라사이트 "incremental drift" at 1 per cent of payroll costs. This is a new wheeze and it would be interesting to see 바카라사이트ir calculations. A high proportion of university staff are stuck at 바카라사이트 top of 바카라사이트ir scales with no prospect of "incremental drift" and normal staff turnover allows for a downward drift.

We are now facing a situation in 바카라사이트 autumn that is ridiculous bordering on 바카라사이트 tragic - a university management admitting that this year's offer is unacceptably low "entirely due to 바카라사이트 underfunding of 바카라사이트 universities by 바카라사이트 Government" and a Government which is pledged to cut public expenditure in order to pay for electioneering tax cuts.

The latest low offer has enraged staff to 바카라사이트 point of contemplating industrial action in 바카라사이트 autumn. Not something anyone relishes but even pawns fight back sometimes.

Rita Donaghy is permanent secretary of 바카라사이트 Institute of Education student union, a member of 바카라사이트 TUC general council and 바카라사이트 national executive of Unison.