MUCH has been made of the pay troubles of local teachers. But the problems aren't just about schools.

Researchers, academics and other staff in higher education are facing a difficult time locally as well.

I am assistant director of recreation at the University of York and have worked in this section for 17 years.

The levels of pay for university staff are the most shocking I have seen in all my years in higher education.

The starting salary for a new lecturer is less than two thirds of the average starting salary for the graduates they have just finished teaching. Our pay has increased in real terms by only five per cent yet in the last 20 years average salaries have increased by 44 per cent.

More than 50 per cent of my colleagues do not know if they will have a job at the end of the academic year because they are on short-term contracts.

Even many of those with job security cannot afford to buy a house because of mortgage costs.

Unless the Government and university are willing to act against this disgrace students and the local economy will begin to suffer.

We have heard successive governments linking investment to delivery in the public services. We have done our bit. It is time for them to stick to their side of the bargain and pay us fairly.

Peter Glanville,

Yarburgh Way,

Badger Hill, York.

Updated: 10:45 Monday, July 01, 2002