THE University of York’s political group’s living wage referendum win has demonstrated that working in partnership on important issues can be done (The Press, March 19), something councillors elected this May should seek to follow.

The Living Wage Campaign aims to raise awareness that the university has been shifting jobs from being employed by the university to York Conferences Limited (YCL), a subsidiary company.

This tactic to avoid paying the living wage to its lowest-paid staff has now been exposed and is a shameful action by a university which aims to become the best employer in York.

The university’s response that its subsidiary company does not pay the living wage to compete with local businesses in the city is weak.

The location of the university and its size of operations on campus mean it has a clear advantage over other businesses.

Additionally the majority of employees at YCL are catering and cleaning staff whose jobs are provided by accommodation contracts. Not paying the living wage does not help its competitiveness but purely increases profit.

I urge the university to reconsider its position and follow example set by York St John University, City of York Council, Nestlé and Aviva.

Stuart Maule, Co-ordinator, UoY Living Wage Campaign, Green Party candidate, Hull Road ward, Heath Croft, Fulford, York.