Two north-east universities have been accused of unlawfully deducting wages from staff who went on strike earlier this year.
According to the University and College Union (UCU), Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University (RGU) deducted more than the two hours wages that staff were out during a pay dispute earlier this year.
The two institutions were among five in Scotland and 26 across the UK accused of acting this way.
The UCU said it considers any money taken from staff in excess of the two hours not worked to be an “unlawful deduction”. Is has written to vice-chancellors and principals asking for the money to be returned or any threat of deduction to be lifted.
The union said the issue was “particularly galling” when some principals have been awarded above inflation pay rises.
UCU’s Scotland official Mary Senior said: “We have written to the Scottish universities who have deducted extra pay from staff and told them to pay back the money taken. Their hard-working staff took industrial action in a legitimate attempt to reverse years of declining pay.
“To be treated so poorly by your employer leaves an incredibly bitter taste in the mouth. At the end of such a protracted, and at times bitter dispute, these five universities now have an opportunity to start to improve relations with their staff.
“We consider any money taken from staff for more than the two hours they were on strike as an unlawful deduction. If the universities do not repay the money we will seek redress through the courts on behalf of our members.”
A spokeswoman for RGU said: “In common with most universities, RGU has, for several years, maintained a policy of withholding a full day’s pay where there is not a full day’s performance of contract.
“This has been regularly advised to all our staff and to the very few who decided to participate in the two hour strike action. The consistent legal advice from our employer’s association and our own advisers has been that this is fully lawful.”
An Aberdeen University spokeswoman said: “We cannot condone action specifically targeted at causing disruption for students. Staff were advised, in advance, that taking part in the strike action would be in breach of contract and, in such circumstances, a day’s pay would be withheld. We are clear that this course of action is entirely lawful. “
