Union attacks Scottish university principals’ pay hikes

The Scotsman 23 May 2023

University principals in Scotland shared “eye-watering” pay rises worth a combined £300,000 (US$372,000) while staff and students struggled with the cost-of-living crisis, writes Calum Ross for The Scotsman.

An investigation by The Scotsman has found that 15 vice-chancellors were handed pay hikes in 2022, with 11 receiving five figure increases to their total packages. It comes after many agreed to salary cuts at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vast majority have now returned to pre-pandemic pay levels, with several bosses earning significantly more than they did before the coronavirus outbreak.

The figures were branded “absolutely astonishing” and a “real kick in the teeth” to staff by the University and College Union. They have emerged amid huge pressures on higher education budgets and ongoing industrial action by staff over pay. Universities Scotland highlighted that principals do not decide their own pay rates, and that staff and student views are considered by remuneration committees.
Full report on The Scotsman site

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