In almost every university, agreements have been negotiated by the association locally while regional and national officials advise on such matters as the drafting of grievance procedures, sabbatical or study leave provision and working time. Working with students Students are the life-blood of universities and the association meets regularly with student unions both nationally and locally to map out joint concerns. In the individual relationships between staff and students, however, there are occasions when disagreements arise and complaints may be made about the actions or behaviour of a member of staff. The complaint may be unfair or unreasonable - membership of AUT will provide you with representation and if necessary defence. Salaries AUT is the only union in the old university sector with which vice-chancellors and principals negotiate on academic and related staff pay.
Negotiations take place nationally and result in the annual pay increase.
Standards of pay are far from perfect, but without the work of the association there would probably be no national salary levels at all, with pay decided solely by vice-chancellors. AUT 's aim is to see the current system replaced with an independent pay review body. Maintaining Academic Standards Time and again, members of AUT have been able to rely on the association's support when they have stood on principle and refused to compromise. AUT also makes representations at institutional and national level on a vast range of professional issues, aiming to translate the experience of the members into concrete action. In many institutions, time-honoured arrangements between individuals and the university concerning who owns what have worked well, but the world of higher education is changing fast.