University lecturers in Scotland paid much less than colleagues in Georgia or Ottawa

5 February 2014

As staff at universities across Scotland prepare to strike tomorrow (Thursday) as part of a worsening pay dispute, their union highlights statistics that show they are paid far less than staff in other English-speaking countries.

UCU analysed international figures on pay, compiled by Deloitte¹, which show that UK lecturers were paid 45% less than Canadians, 34% less than American lecturers and 16% less than their Australian counterparts.

The analysis shows that academics' pay in the UK is amongst the lowest in English-speaking countries despite our higher education system being ranked second out of 50 countries for the results it produces.

A separate study of the higher education systems of 50 countries, undertaken by the University of Melbourne in May 2013²

found that the UK ranked second only to the United States for the output of its universities. But when resources going into higher education were analysed, the UK dropped to mid-table, coming 24^th out of the 50 countries, whereas the US came fifth.

The current pay dispute between UCU and university leaders was prompted when UK university staff refused to accept a 1% pay offer for this academic year. UCU members complain that the 1% pay rise offer represents a real-terms 13% pay cut since 2009.

The principal of Heriot-Watt University, Professor Steve Chapman, received a 24.3% pay increase last year, while at the University of Strathclyde, Professor Sir Jim McDonald, received a 17.9% rise. At Queen Margaret University, Professor Petra Wend, enjoyed an 8.2% increase and at the University of Stirling, Professor Gerry McCormac got 6.2%.

UCU members took two full days of strike action before Christmas. Thursday is their third one-day strike, and they will be joined on the picket lines by members of Unison, Unite and the EIS trade unions. Members of UCU have separately taken two two-hour strikes in January with a third scheduled for Monday 10 February (9-11am).

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'UK academics are receiving significantly less pay than their counterparts in most other English-speaking countries. There is no justification for staff in Georgia or Ottawa to be paid substantially more than those in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen.

'Research shows that our universities continue to perform at the very highest levels on the global stage. If we don't start properly rewarding staff in this country then international academics will understandably look elsewhere and our own staff may consider their options abroad.

'We cannot take our reputation, which is forged by the knowledge and expertise of our staff, for granted. Union members taking strike action are angry that university principals continue to see their pay increase while pleading poverty when it comes to staff pay. It's time for fair pay for all.'

**Table 1: Payment for lecturers adjusted to purchasing power parity (PPP) in US dollars**
Country	Canada	USA	Australia	UK	New Zealand
Payment as PPP in $	79,300	73,100	63,500	54,600	52,900
Salary converted to £*	£49,959	£46,053	£40,005	£34,398	£33,327