Those of you with a car parking permit will be handing your forthcoming 1% pay increase (December) back to the University (from January) in the form of increased parking costs, especially those on lower incomes who will pay a higher proportion of salary. Those of us who use the train will see a 1% increase in rail fares. The UCU and other unions petitioned the University about the hikes in car parking fees, but we have not been invited to any consultation on the matter before minor adjustments were made to the proposals. We have been invited now to discuss ‘reasonable adjustments’ processes. The day rate is now going up to £7. The argument will no doubt be that this is the market rate. We would respond that we are not the market, we are staff driving in our expertise to the workplace. The Woodhouse Lane car park offers a day rate at £6. Be in no doubt, you are regarded by your employer as a source of income. The car parking increases will raise in the region of an additional £300,000 in one year alone. continue reading