University of Aberdeen staff walk out over pay dispute
Staff at Aberdeen University have walked out over an ongoing pay dispute.
Staff at Aberdeen University have walked out over an ongoing pay dispute.
They say that a 14.5% cut to wages, as well as the increasing gender pay gap has forced them to take action.
It coincides with a meeting of the governing body and several re-sit exams.
Mary Senior, UCU Scotland official, said: "The very last thing staff at Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University want to do is go on strike, but they have been left no other option. Universities have created a dispute when this could all have been avoided if they made a reasonable pay offer. Our members are determined to see this through.
It is time for the university principals to do the job they are very well paid for and come back to the table with a fair pay award for all staff."
A UCU Scotland statement added: "The dispute also calls on universities to address the use of zero-hours contracts and the gender pay gap.
"On average, the difference in pay between what men and women academics are paid is £6,103 per year.
"Union members are also working to contract as part of the dispute, meaning that they will only work their contracted hours, and refuse set any additional work or take on any voluntary activities.
The union is also encouraging members who are external examiners to resign those positions.
"This will disrupt the marking process over the summer when exam boards meet to consider challenged marks as there will be a lack of external examiners who provide the critical quality assurance aspect to the process."
Robert Gordon University will take similar action on Thursday morning.