Bosses at Bournemouth University have received a bumper pay rise - despite a majority of university staff being offered just a 1 per cent rise by bosses.

Bosses at Bournemouth University have received a bumper pay rise, with the vice-chancellor pocketing a pay increase of 19 per cent – despite a majority of university staff walking out over a 1 per cent rise offered by bosses.

Salaries for six managers at Bournemouth University increased by 30 per cent between 2012 and 2013, and all are on six-figure salaries.

Meanwhile university staff have been offered just a 1 per cent rise, representing a 13 per cent real-terms pay cut since 2009, prompting them to walk out twice in a recent dispute with university bosses.

Bournemouth University vice-chancellor Professor John Vinney has seen his salary increase by almost 19 per cent – from £178,000 in 2012 to £211,000 in 2013. When pension contributions and benefits in kind are included, his overall pay package was £244,000 in 2013.

Since being appointed in 2010, Mr Vinney’s overall pay package has risen by 22 per cent; meanwhile the total number of academic staff at Bournemouth University has decreased by 8 per cent since 2008.

Commenting on the pay increase given to bosses, University and College Union spokesperson John Brissenden accused bosses of “lining their pockets at the expense of staff and students”.

“These eye-watering pay rises demonstrate the startling hypocrisy of a leadership who clearly believe there is one rule for them and one for everyone else. Staff, students and parents will understandably wonder how the university can justify such huge pay rises at a time when staff have been forced to accept pay cuts. The controversial revelations will certainly galvanise staff as we continue our fight for fair pay,” he said.

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