SALFORD University intends to become the first in the north west to dock the wages of lecturers involved in a national pay dispute.

The college's management say they will cut wages by 20 per cent, backdated to May 17th, even though exams only started this week.

The move has outraged union leaders.

Despite the national dispute threatening the graduation of students due to an exam boycott by lecturers, other universities, including Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan, and Bolton, have not slashed wages.

Salford University sent out a letter about the pay cut to all staff on May 10th. It warned wages would be docked unless they indicated they would not be taking part in industrial action.

The Association of University Teachers (AUT) asked management to withdraw the letter but they refused. A spokesman said: "How can you have a blanket 20 per cent cut, when all some people have done is refuse to cover for absent colleagues."

Lecturers at the university had intended to set exams, mark papers, but withhold results.

Nationally lecturers want a 23 per cent pay rise over three years, claiming they have been underpaid for decades.

The AUT and the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education, say pay has slumped by 30 per cent in real terms in 10 years. Their members have rejected a 12.6 per cent pay rise over three years. Tweet