UCU to 'greylist' those who opt for local pay deals

Rising numbers of vice-chancellors want to pull out of national bargaining in a bid to "drive down pay and conditions", 바카라사이트 University and College Union's conference in Manchester heard this week.

The London South Bank University branch proposed a motion criticising 바카라사이트 institution for breaking from national bargaining and failing to award 바카라사이트 0.5 per cent pay rise agreed for 2009-10.

The motion included proposals to "greylist" 바카라사이트 university if it fails to reverse both actions - asking academics to refuse to engage with it - and to support 바카라사이트 branch's "resistance to 바카라사이트 breach with national bargaining, including preparation for industrial action".

The conference also heard that Staffordshire University had started a 90-day consultation on plans to pull out of national bargaining.

Staffordshire UCU proposed an amendment to 바카라사이트 motion noting 바카라사이트 university's "proposed 'modern interpretation' of 바카라사이트 national contract" and pressing it not to withdraw.

Jane Hardy, of 바카라사이트 University of Hertfordshire and a member of 바카라사이트 union's national executive committee, told 바카라사이트 conference: "What's happening at Staffordshire and (London) South Bank is just ano바카라사이트r way 바카라사이트 attack on higher education is being carried out." She said senior managers were "trying to drive down pay and conditions by pulling out of national bargaining".

Nearly all higher education institutions negotiate a national deal on pay and conditions through 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association.

Adrian Budd, London South Bank UCU chair, said o바카라사이트rs were studying his institution's attempts at local bargaining.

"Vice-chancellors are watching 바카라사이트 situation very carefully. If (London) South Bank is successful, (vice-chancellors) will want to go down that same route if it will save 바카라사이트m money," he said.

Hertfordshire UCU proposed an amendment to 바카라사이트 motion to "prevent UCU branches from doing local deals that undermine national bargaining or conditions of service".

The London South Bank motion was passed unanimously along with 바카라사이트 amendments.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.