As of 1st April 2017, the union will pay all staff as a minimum a wage of £7.05 an hour, a big increase for staff under 21 who were previously receiving the lower minimum wage of £5.60 an hour. This has been a highly anticipated move in the union, with many student staff members resenting the fact that colleagues doing exactly the same job and working the same hours as them were getting paid more.

Those over 25 years of age will be paid the Living Wage of £7.50 an hour.

Although the changes fall short of paying all students a living wage, something which the NUS has been campaigning for since 2012, the changes do mark a significant improvement in the rate of pay for younger students working in the union.

Union Affairs Officer Jack Palmer has said: “This has been a priority for me this year and I’m pleased to say that as of the 1st April 2017 all weekly paid team members, regardless of age, will receive as a minimum the higher national minimum wage rate of £7.05 per hour. For those 25 years old or over the new National Living Wage of £7.50 per hour will apply.

“We have got current bars and venues vacancies for anyone looking for some part time work in their students’ union, if you’re interested visit luu.org.uk to find out more!”

Chloe Wright, a second year History student, told The Gryphon, “Working until 5am in a hot and noisy club every Friday is not only really difficult but also pretty unsociable which is especially hard knowing you’re giving up this valuable time for minimum wage (which per hour is barely enough to buy two drinks). I’m really happy that they’ve decided to raise the wage!”

Jessica Murray