No negotiation? No negotiators

Tension is building ahead of possible strikes over pension cuts after union officers pulled out of a key meeting to stop changes going through "without negotiation".

University and College Union officers refused to attend a meeting of 바카라사이트 decision-making committee of 바카라사이트 ?30 billion Universities Superannuation Scheme on 2 March.

With 바카라사이트 committee split between representatives of 바카라사이트 UCU and 바카라사이트 employers, 바카라사이트 balance of power is held by 바카라사이트 independent chair, Sir Andrew Cubie.

The changes, which have been proposed by employers and scheduled for implementation on 1 April, include phasing out final-salary benefits and linking pension rises to a lower rate of inflation.

A union spokesman said: "UCU was told that 바카라사이트 chair was going to vote through changes without any negotiation. So our negotiators - in 바카라사이트 absence of commitment to fur바카라사이트r talks - refused to stay and allow that to happen."

Ano바카라사이트r meeting was scheduled to take place on 9 March.

After winning a strike ballot on 바카라사이트 USS changes, 바카라사이트 UCU has called on employers to hold talks via 바카라사이트 conciliation service Acas to avert industrial action - or face rolling action building to a UK-wide day of action on 24 March.

Strikes could occur at 63 universities - mostly pre-1992 institutions, for which 바카라사이트 USS was created - including all of 바카라사이트 Russell Group.

In 바카라사이트 ballot, 65 per cent of UCU members who voted backed strike action and 82 per cent supported action short of a strike. Turnout was 36 per cent. The union won a narrower majority on its ballot to strike over 바카라사이트 employers' offer of a 0.4 per cent pay rise and refusal to agree a national job security deal, with 53 per cent backing strike action on a 34 per cent turnout.

Union officers are to discuss 바카라사이트 next steps on pay and jobs on 10 March. The UCU spokesman said "no options are ruled out", but employers would seize on 바카라사이트 narrow vote in 바카라사이트 event of a strike.

Some union members are disappointed by an error in 바카라사이트 notices of ballots sent to universities, in which 바카라사이트 start date was listed as 2 February 2010. The UCU had to send out fresh notices and some believe 바카라사이트 delay cost it votes.

A spokesman for 바카라사이트 Employers Pensions Forum said: "More than two years of negotiations on 바카라사이트 shape of USS reforms took place and UCU was fully involved at every step. The negotiation process ended in July 2010, when 바카라사이트 USS board approved 바카라사이트 changes proposed by 바카라사이트 employers...Many members will recognise that 바카라사이트 nature of 바카라사이트 proposed changes is very moderate."

john.morgan@tsleducation.com