‘Bully-boy’ Vice Chancellor threatens striking lecturers with pay cut

Mounting anger against Nottingham Trent’s Vice-Chancellor Neil Gorman gathered pace this week, as it was revealed he sent an email threatening his staff with docked pay and loss of pensions if they were to take part in a marking boycott against wage cuts.

Despite nationwide unrest about poor lecturer pay, Gorman received a 6.5% pay increase this year. His salary is now £321,000.

Resentment towards the Vice Chancellor has been bubbling over for some time and it appears that his latest tactic may prove to be the final straw.

In a leaked email to the Nottingham Post, Professor Gorman said: “In these circumstances, it is the university’s policy to withhold the pay of staff who participate in industrial action.

“It is also the university’s policy that it will not accept the partial performance of the contract of any member of staff.

Professor Neil Gorman, the outgoing Vice Chancellor

“This means that if you decide to take part in the escalated continuous industrial action short of a strike, and therefore do not fulfil all the requirements of your contract, you will not be entitled to your contractual pay.

“It is regrettable that this response must be taken but it is a reflection of the seriousness for the university and students of such potentially damaging industrial action.

A university union member who contacted Nottingham Post, said: “The levels of hypocrisy in Professor Gorman’s letter are breathtaking.

“This bully-boy behaviour may break the industrial action but it is also bound to turn the university into an academic pariah.

“Many of my most talented, committed colleagues are already ashamed to work here. Potential students will soon get the message.”

With confirmation from Nottingham Trent that the email had indeed been sent, a university spokesman said: “We are absolutely committed to ensuring there are no disruptions to teaching and learning during the national strike action and that we continue to deliver an excellent student experience.”

He added: “The university’s policy, which is underpinned by legal advice, has always been to deduct a full day’s pay for partial performance.

“We understand that our response to this proposed marking boycott is in line with that being followed by many other universities.

The news arrives amid growing unrest towards the Vice Chancellor, with a two-hour strike over pay having previously been enacted in January from both Nottingham universities.

What do you think? Is Neil Gorman unfairly bullying his staff? Or is he genuinely trying to protect our interests? Have your say below