Disagree.
Once you are past probation as a lecturer in the UK you are as safe as a tenure prof in the US, and the pay is fine to very good, assuming (crucially) you are any good at your job. The pension is probably one of the best in the UK, and most Unis have a lot of benefits (cheap gyms, NHS dentists, etc etc)

The problem is that once past probation, many just ease off and don't put in the full effort. Also, you have to be prepared to accept that your job is to generate income for the university, through either research or teaching, and stop pretending the whole thing is really some noble higher purpose.
( the mighty badger Aphrodite, on a bar stool, by your side, Thu 25 Feb 2010, 11:59, Reply)