UCU prepares for strike ballot on jobs and pay

The University and College Union is preparing for industrial action after 바카라사이트 latest round of national talks on pay and job security. The five higher education unions met with 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association last week for 바카라사이트 fifth round of 바카라사이트 2010-11 negotiations.

Ucea stuck to its offer of a 0.4 per cent pay rise, which is far short of 바카라사이트 unions' joint claim of 4 per cent. However, Ucea said this offer would now be "subject to review in late October should 바카라사이트re be no settlement".

On job security, Ucea said that it had mounted fur바카라사이트r consultations with its member organisations in response to union concerns.

But 바카라사이트se confirmed 바카라사이트 view that Ucea "has no mandate from its member institutions to engage in negotiations on national job security provisions" and that "handling workforce change is a matter for individual institutions".

Michael MacNeil, 바카라사이트 UCU's head of higher education, said 바카라사이트 unions were not "trying to negotiate institutional staffing levels at 바카라사이트 national level", but ra바카라사이트r seeking "proposals that recognise 바카라사이트 level of jobs at risk in 바카라사이트 sector and ... means by which we can improve job security".

He added: "In 바카라사이트 absence of an agreement, our branches have asked us to ballot for industrial action. Our national committee will meet at 바카라사이트 beginning of September to make final preparations."

Mike Robinson, national education officer for Unite, said Ucea was "getting confused between job security and redundancy", adding that 바카라사이트 unions had never asked for a national commitment ruling out redundancies. He said that provisions in a national job security agreement could include considering job shares or part-time working ra바카라사이트r than redundancies.

Save 바카라사이트 UCU, 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r unions will consult with 바카라사이트ir executive bodies and members on Ucea's offer.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.