Dozens of students gathered on Parkinson steps on Wednesday to demand the University introduces the Living Wage.

On a Facebook page promoting the event Leeds Labour Students stated one of the protest’s aims was for “Leeds University to agree to only hire external contractors who pay their staff a Living Wage.”

The protest was organised Tom Follett, Campaigns Manager for the society. Follett told LS he started the demonstration because “it’s unfair that staff who work for outsourcing companies within the University don’t get a fair wage for a fair day’s work.”

Follett said: “The Living Wage is something other student campaigns have had success in.” He added: “It’s a shame Leeds University hasn’t caught up.”

Many political societies demonstrated their support for the protest. The secretary of the Marxist Society said that the University should be seen as “an example to all employers to give people a decent Living Wage.”

A member of the Revolutionary Socialists added: “For us this is one small aspect of combating the effect of austerity.”

Following the protest, a number of students attended the University Summit meeting to discuss the issues raised with the Vice Chancellor. Speaking about further action, Follett said: “We’re hoping to get a core group of people after this protest to move the campaign forward.”

Sean Hayes

Photo: Sam Broadley