THE principal of Strathclyde University yesterday criticised the
Government for failing to honour this year's salary agreement for
university lecturers.
Professor John Arbuthnott told a special meeting of the university's
academic congress that he could not accept the decision to block the
proposed 6% increase and limit it to 4.2%.
He said: ''I believe passionately that an improvement in academic, and
academic related, staff's pay is thoroughly justified. We are doing all
that Government is asking of us. I am angry and disappointed that staff
should have their efforts rewarded in this way.''
Professor Arbuthnott said university salaries had fallen 27% in
relative terms since 1979, yet productivity had increased significantly.
In Strathclyde, fewer lecturers now taught 2000 more students -- a
productivity increase of 33%. By contrast, the average schoolteacher had
5% fewer pupils but had gained pay rises worth 15%.
He also pointed out that the university had achieved a 50% increase in
research income since 1987 and was committed to improving the quality of
its services to students and employers.
The principal's remarks were made on the day that the Association of
University Teachers and the National Union of Students launched a joint
campaign seeking improved funding for higher education.
Mr David Bleiman, Scottish regional official of the AUT, called for an
independent pay review body for lecturers and an end to ''arbitrary
Government interference'' in pay awards. Increased resources were also
needed to provide facilities for the enlarged student intake, he said.
Mr Jim Murphy, Scottish president of the NUS, said: ''The Government
seems intent on a something-for-nothing education system, where
expansion in numbers is sought on the cheap. This is a narrow-minded and
tight-fisted approach towards the investment in our future.''
Both warned that their unions would resist any attempt to cut the
higher education budget in next week's public spending round.
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