TRADE unionists branded the University of Dundee a “rogue employer” today during a debate at the STUC Congress.

Dundee Trades Council attacked the university for slashing workers’ pensions while leaving those of the highest earners untouched.

The cut of up to 40 per cent of pension entitlement falls on the six lowest grades at the university, while employees paid between £95,000 and £250,000 had their pensions protected, the conference heard.

The affected staff, comprising technicians, electricians, cleaners, porters, clerical and maintenance workers, had already suffered a real-terms pay cut this year, due to the University and Colleges Employers Association imposing at 3 per cent pay increase while inflation held steady at over 10 per cent.

Trade unionists argued that on top of the real-terms pay cut, their pensions, which represent deferred pay, could fall by as much as £6,000 per year, which could condemn many to poverty in retirement.

A further aggravating factor, according to the trades council, is that over 70 per cent of those affected by the cuts are women.

In a workplace where the gender pay gap is already 19 per cent, the pension changes risk compounding the situation, Dundee Trades Council argued.

Twelve weeks of strike action by members of Unite and Unison have not deterred the university’s management from imposing the changes, despite opposition from across the political spectrum.

The conference was asked to continue its support for workers in the dispute, send solidarity to them and condemn the “shameful tactics of the university principal and his management team in refusing to return to the negotiating table.”

Dundee University was contacted for comment.