The University has committed to paying a fair wage to its lowest paid employees. During the current industrial dispute, as a sign of the University’s goodwill, it will take an interim measure to supplement pay with an allowance to bring the income for its lowest paid staff into alignment with the current Living Wage rate. This provides an increase of up to £740 per annum for the University’s lowest paid employees.
Furthermore, the University commits to negotiating with the trade unions about the Living Wage for its employees once the dispute is resolved.
This change will benefit 286 employees and took effect from 1 March 2014. All staff affected are being notified directly.
The move brings the University’s pay rates noticeably above benchmark rates for similar roles in the Southampton area and will increase the institution’s reputation as an employer of choice within the local community.
Janice Donaldson, the University’s Director of Human Resources said, “We don’t feel it is fair on our lowest paid workers to have to wait for the national dispute to be resolved, so we are doing something now.”