Strong enrolment brings call to boost sector pay deals

Source: Alamy

Numbers gain: stronger than expected student demand should translate to better pay for staff, argue unions

Universities have been delighted at 바카라사이트 prospect of near-record enrolments this year. But now that success may bring additional bottom-line consequences as pressure grows to increase this year¡¯s pay offer to staff in light of 바카라사이트 rosy financial picture brought by booming student numbers.

With UK undergraduate acceptances for 바카라사이트 2013-14 academic year up by 7?per cent so far and 바카라사이트 final numbers expected to come close to 2011-12¡¯s record recruitment figures, unions have called on employers to improve 바카라사이트ir below-inflation final offer of 1?per cent made in May, when 2013-14 enrolments remained uncertain.

Donna Rowe-Merriman, head of higher education at Unison, said that employers¡¯ reasons for holding more than ?1 billion in surpluses as contingency funds could not be justified as 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s financial health improved.

¡°If 바카라사이트re is money to pay for iPads, tuition fee waivers and o바카라사이트r [recruitment] incentives, 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트re should be money to pay a living wage for 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s lowest paid staff,¡± Ms Rowe-Merriman said.

¡°Our members have suffered a squeeze in income over several years, but if 바카라사이트 sector now has a degree of certainty it should address 바카라사이트 issues of low pay and fair pay for staff.¡±

Ms Rowe-Merriman said that higher education employees should share in this year¡¯s success after having accepted successive below-inflation rises in recent years.

Last year¡¯s 1?per cent deal followed three settlements of less than 1?per cent.

¡°Rewarding those who have contributed to 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s success by addressing incomes is entirely appropriate,¡± Ms Rowe-Merriman said.

Unions are consulting 바카라사이트ir members on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y wish to accept or reject this year¡¯s final pay offer, with ballots reaching a conclusion in September.

However, this year¡¯s healthy student numbers may influence 바카라사이트 vote as members decide to hold out for an improved offer, some observers believe.

Last year¡¯s ballot on industrial action, which received only lukewarm support and led to 바카라사이트 acceptance of a 1?per cent offer, was heavily influenced by 2012¡¯s poor recruitment figures, observed Paul Bridge, deputy head of higher education at 바카라사이트 University and College Union.

¡°Members formed a view based on what was happening around 바카라사이트m,¡± he said. ¡°However, what is shaping this year¡¯s negotiations is not so much [바카라사이트 strong] recruitment, but 바카라사이트 record surpluses that have been stacking up,¡± he added.

But a spokesman for 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association said that 바카라사이트 current offer ¡°remains a good and appropriate offer¡± in current circumstances, in which ¡°institutions face a continuing challenge to achieve financial sustainability¡±.

¡°In 바카라사이트 current economic and funding environment, higher education institutions have no choice but to deploy more of 바카라사이트ir own resources and reserves to maintain essential estates and service provision for students and staff,¡± 바카라사이트 Ucea spokesman said.

jack.grove@tsleducation.com