Sheffield Hallam University criticised for ‘deeply disappointing’ staff pay rise delay

Sheffield Hallam University has been criticised for postponing staff pay rises.

The University and College Union (UCU) has slammed the decision, which would see wage increases delayed until July 2025.

In a statement to The Sheffield Tab, UCU’s regional officer, Julie Kelley said the deferral was “deeply disappointing” and amounted “to the theft of millions of pounds from staff pay packets”.

Sheffield Hallam’s vice chancellor, Professor Liz Mossop made the announcement in an email to staff last week, citing ongoing financial challenges as the reason for the delay.

The move came just days after UCU Hallam had suspended a planned four-day strike due to a new offer to union members from the University Executive Board.

The strike action had received an 87 per cent mandate and was in response to job cuts and existing employment conditions.

Ms Kelley said: “Even though the university is refusing to pay staff properly, it is continuing to pour millions into projects like its London campus.

“This is no way to treat staff who have just suspended strike action in good faith. Management now needs to prioritise its own workforce over risky investments.”

The university is continuing to face financial difficulties, with its most recent published data indicating a £4.7m deficit.

Approximately 140 academic staff have taken voluntary redundancy so far as part of a scheme that launched in December 2023.

In May this year, it was announced that a further 400 professional services roles may also need to be cut.

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A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam told The Sheffield Tab: “Like all universities, we are having to make a number of tough decisions due to the financial challenges being faced across the higher education sector. One of these will be to implement the annual nationally negotiated pay award for staff later than in previous years, which will help us to reduce costs significantly and protect more jobs.

“This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly for staff who are working hard to welcome new and returning students at the start of the academic year. The decision to delay the pay award is part of a clear plan to reduce costs and grow income to help us towards a more sustainable financial future, where we can continue to be one of the UK’s most popular universities.”

Feature image via Google Maps.

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