Staff brand University of Bath pay committee change a 'worthless stunt'

Staff at the University of Bath have labelled the decision to remove vice-chancellor Dame Glynis Breakwell from the committee that sets her pay a 'worthless stunt.' UCU said the move looked like a 'cynical ploy to try and stem the tide of damaging media stories about the vice-chancellor's pay and perks'.

The union said there should be staff and students represented on the remuneration committee and the chair of council should also be prohibited from being on it. Over two-thirds (71%) of vice-chancellors are either members of their university's remuneration committee or can attend.

President of Bath UCU Dr Michael Carley said: 'Of course the vice-chancellor shouldn't be on the board that sets her pay, but removing her now looks like nothing more than a cynical ploy to try and stem the tide of damaging media stories about her pay and perks.

'There should be student and staff representation on that committee and neither the vice-chancellor nor the chair of the council [Thomas Sheppard] should sit on it. Without a proper overhaul this change is just a worthless stunt.'

UCU found that over two-thirds (71%) of vice-chancellors are either members of their university's remuneration committee or can attend.