University of St Andrews and AUT

The University of St Andrews has made a pay offer to its academic and academic related staff in an attempt to reach a local resolution of the current national pay dispute with the Association of University Teachers.

The University met its staff today Tuesday May 2nd 2006 to offer a three year agreement under which the pay of academic staff would be increased by 5% from August 2006, 3.5% from 2007 and 3.5% from 2008.

The University has also undertaken to match a more substantial increase in pay over that period, should a higher settlement be reached as a result of national negotiations.

If the offer is accepted, the University expects a return to normal working to ensure the smooth running of its scheduled examination diet, due to begin on May 13th 2006.

The Executive Committee of the St Andrews branch of the AUT has recommended acceptance of the offer and will now conduct a ballot of its St Andrews members. The result of the ballot is due on Thursday May 4th 2006 at 1 p.m.

The University believes the offer it has made is attractive and reasonable.

In making the offer, the University took into account the rights of all St Andrews students to complete their exams and to graduate as expected, the rights of staff to seek an appropriate rise in salary, the shared wish of local AUT and management to seek a local solution and the importance of maintaining the excellent relationship the University enjoys with its staff and students.

The University’s effort with local AUT to seek a local resolution of a dispute which did not begin in St Andrews and will not be resolved by what happens in St Andrews is a responsible and appropriate institutional response to the need to protect the interests of all students and staff.

Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of the University of St Andrews. Contact : Niall Scott, tel 01334 462244, mobile 07711 223062, Claire Grainger, tel 01334 462530, mobile 07730 415015, Gayle Cook, tel 01334 467227.