I call on Leeds Metropolitan University to pay all of their staff the living wage*and for the pay ratio between highest paid and lowest paid to be 10:1.

Leeds Metropolitan University agency staff, working in theRose Bowl canteen & Grumpy Mule Cafe are only paid £6.19**. Lower pay gaps make happier organizations and societies; and the Living Wage is just enough for a decent standard of living.

Leeds HR department even stated the following:

'Paying the Living Wage is considered to be good for business, good for the individual and good for society and so we have decided to review our rates of pay to ensure that they are above the Living Wage. The good news is that we already pay all of our staff on a standard contract above the Living Wage'***

So why don't they practice what they preach?

*The Living Wage, enough for a decent standard of living, is £7.45 per hour for those outside of London.

**Agency staff at Leeds Met are on the minimum wage for the first 3 months they are employed – the law then forces Leeds Met to pay agency staff the same as direct staff. As many agency staff are employed for less than 3 months at Leeds Met these calculations are based on the minimum wage and not the living wage. Additionally, all calculations based pre-tax. Although income tax reduces pay ratios, other taxes (such as VAT) increase meaning taxes create no overall change in income inequality levels. Finally, all calculations based on full time wages at 37.5 hours per week. Please contact for further details.

***http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/enews/5B8E790EB25D45A48791AF81EA947317.htm