Professor Stephen Logan will be available for interview approximately 4pm today. Please contact Communications Office to arrange.
The University of Aberdeen has this lunchtime (May 3) offered a three-year pay deal to its academic and academic related staff in an attempt to solve the present industrial dispute by the Association of University Teachers.
Professor Stephen Logan, University Senior Vice-Principal, has made an offer to staff which will increase salaries by 12% over three years - an initial increase of 5% from August 1, 2006, with 3.5% in 2007 and 2008. He has highlighted that this offer is a further indication of the University’s commitment to reward staff competitively.
Professor Logan said: “I feel I need to continue to do everything in my power to bring this dispute to an end at the University of Aberdeen.
“It is more than eight weeks since I first met with local AUT members and offered to negotiate a settlement which would resolve the dispute that the AUT has lodged against the University. As a result of these discussions I agreed to respect the AUT’s preference for a national settlement until such a time that the industrial action became harmful for students.”
Last week Professor Logan wrote to students and staff outlining his position. He said: “Since then I have received a number of responses from staff and students urging me to find a solution to the present industrial dispute at Aberdeen.
“Yesterday’s news that the University of St Andrews had negotiated a local settlement with its campus Trades Unions is a clear indication that local solutions are indeed possible.”
Professor Logan added: “I believe that this offer provides us with an opportunity to build on our constructive working relationship and to reach a solution which will be hugely beneficial to staff and students.”
Under the Framework Agreement, from 1 August 2006 Academic staff starting salary will rise by 29.5% and, for the first time, the Institution’s Manual staff will be paid on an incremental scale which will ultimately increase earnings by 11% over current levels. These increases will apply before this year’s pay award.