SU see wages increased by 5%

The Union Council have voted to increase the wages of the Students’ Union sabbatical officers by 5% for next year, following a meeting in the Old Bar last Wednesday.

The pay increase is intended to offset the 5% cut to the wages of grade one public sector workers introduced by the government in December’s budget.

Although the sabbatical officers (the SU president, campaigns and information officer and education and welfare officer) are not public sector workers, the SU constitution states that they should be payed the same rate as a grade one civil servant.

The motion was introduced to the floor at the meeting of the Union Council by SU president Alan Keegan, who stressed at the meeting that the increase would not come into effect until the next academic year.

Two members of the Union Council, which is comprised largely of class representatives, voted against the motion. Several attendees remarked that there was a low turnout at the meeting, with just enough class representatives present to have a vote.

Contacted by the College View, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which represents over 600,000 workers, stated that although they could not comment on the DCU Students’ Union, given they are not public sector workers, they would “applaud the principle” behind the motion.

The Union Council is the presiding body which approves SU policy each year and has the power to mandate the SU Executive.

It is comprised of all elected Students’ Union officials as well as the president and vice-president of the university itself.

The quorum (minimum attendance required to make decisions) for the Union Council is 10% of the membership of the Union Council, which according to one attendee was “barely reached”.

Most DCU Staff, including part-time staff, have been affected by at least a 5% cut in salary after the December budget.

Sabbatical officers’ salaries are partly funded by the capitation fees which DCU students pay.

Union Council chairperson David Doyle said; “I would like to point out that important decisions, similar to this one, are often made at Union Council which is why it is extremely important for all class representatives to attend and to vote. I would also like to very strongly urge all students to check up on their class rep, to make sure they both attend Union Council and have their classes voices heard.

“If your class rep doesn’t attend, find out why, and urge them to go. Agendas for Union Council are published in advance of each meeting so class reps should really do their part in ensuring every student knows what projects the Union are working on and see the issues which are discussed and debated.”

Doyle was keen to point out that this year’s SU would not benefit from the wage increase.

He says: “The 5% addition simply cancels out a 5% decrease which would be seen due to exterior powers and doesn’t take effect until the academic year 2010/2011 so none of this year’s elected Union sabbatical officers will see any increase in their pay. As it stands, the Students’ Union executive officers are among the lowest paid within the University.”

Both SU president Alan Keegan and education and welfare officer John Murphy declined to comment when contacted by The College View.