Queen’s University Belfast has announced that it will roll out a new pay deal to all of its employees, effective from 1 August.
The deal was agreed with trade unions Unite, University and College Union (UCU) and Northern Ireland Public Service Alliance (NIPSA). It will see staff receive a 13% pay increase over three years, a one-off non-consolidated payment dependent on salary, and an additional day’s leave.
Queen’s stated that it is investing in its people to reap the benefits in the longer term and that it hopes the deal provides assurance to students that potential disruption to their studies has been reduced.
Professor Sir Ian Greer, vice-chancellor of Queen’s University, said: “At Queen University, we consider our people to be our key asset and today’s announcement underlines this. This pay deal recognises the remarkable body of work our people have delivered. It will provide certainty for our staff and their families, as well as assurances to students that potential disruption to their studies has been hugely reduced.
“Echoing the same advice I gave the returning executive earlier this year, it is crucial we invest in people to reap the benefits longer-term. This deal adds to our existing top-class terms and conditions as a major employer and we remain committed to our mission to recruit and retain the best people with the university’s ultimate aim of producing the most talented and high achieving graduates that will make a difference to our society and the world.”
Sean O’Connell, president of UCU at Queen’s, added: “This is an important step towards pay restoration and a fitting reward and recognition of the efforts of all Queen’s staff. Significantly, this deal means we can now all focus on providing stability for both staff and students.”
Julia Farkaš, branch chair of NIPSA at Queen’s, said: “Collectively, the university and the unions see this as a new start to industrial relations at Queen's with partnership and collaboration at the heart of the new agreement.”
