Negotiations for the national pay award, usually implemented in August each year, have recently concluded. The negotiations are between the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), on behalf of the employers, and the five recognised Trade Unions (UNISON, UNITE and UCU being the recognised TUs at the University of Bath). Unfortunately, the TU’s and UCEA did not manage to agree on the final offer. UCEA have now informed us that the dispute resolution process has ended and have asked us to communicate the 2024-25 pay award to all colleagues.

The national pay negotiations have been particularly challenging this year as we continue to manage the cost-of-living crisis but UCEA believes that this is a fair and reasonable offer in the current financial climate.

The offer to be implemented comprises of an uplift to all spine points on the pay scale for grades 2-9. The total uplift across the pay scale is between 2.5% and 5.7% (depending on spine point) and will be paid in two parts. The spine points on the Senior Staff and Professorial pay scales will also receive the 2.5% pay increase.

The pay increase is structured in the following way.

• Spine points 5 to 22 will receive a £900 uplift from 1 August 2024 then a £300 uplift from 1 March 2025 (totalling £1,200).
  
• Spine points 23 to 37 receive a £900 uplift from 1 August 2024 then a £250 uplift from 1 March 2025 (totalling £1,150).
  
• Spine points 38 upwards receive a £900 uplift from 1 August 2024 then a sum (variable by pay point) which results in an uplift totalling 2.5% from 1 March 2025.

This information has been updated on the University of Bath pay and grading structure webpage and we expect to implement the first uplift with your September pay, backdated to 1 August 2024, so you will receive the relevant increase for August and September in the same payment.

If you do not know which spine point you are currently on please look at the rate quoted on your September pay slip as ‘Basic Pay’ and compare it to the table found on the University of Bath pay and grading structure webpage.