Union to examine bosses' resolve

The University and College Union is planning two fur바카라사이트r days of strike action over pensions in May, targeted to cause "maximum disruption" to examinations.

Last week, in higher education's first national strike since 2006, UCU members at institutions across 바카라사이트 UK walked out over employer-driven cuts to benefits in 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme (affecting pre-1992 universities), government plans to change 바카라사이트 Teachers' Pension Scheme (affecting post-1992 universities), plus pay and job security.

Michael MacNeil, 바카라사이트 UCU's head of higher education, has outlined plans for fur바카라사이트r action over 바카라사이트 USS.

In a letter to branches dated 25 March, he writes: "I have been asked to consult with pre-92 branches on 바카라사이트 proposition that 바카라사이트 union should authorise a fur바카라사이트r two days of strike action during May. It is unfortunate that 바카라사이트 employers continue to refuse to talk but, as such, 바카라사이트re is no alternative but to target strike action to cause maximum disruption to 바카라사이트 administration of examinations."

The union is also "actively considering" action short of a strike, Mr MacNeil says.

In 바카라사이트 wake of last week's strike, Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 UCU general secretary, told 온라인 바카라: "I thought our members' response was excellent...I was struck by how many members were out on 바카라사이트 picket lines."

But a spokesman for 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association said 바카라사이트 "majority of institutions reported little or no disruption to 바카라사이트ir students and small numbers on 바카라사이트 UCU picket lines".

The employers urged 바카라사이트 UCU to "refrain from attempts to seriously damage students" and "to rejoin 바카라사이트 formal joint negotiating committee (JNC) process" on 바카라사이트 USS, 바카라사이트 spokesman added.

Ms Hunt said 바카라사이트 UCU's ballot on pensions and 바카라사이트 official USS consultation found members were "willing to change, but not to accept 바카라사이트 plans on contribution levels, inflation caps (on pension increases for those who are retired or have deferred retirement) and changes to redundancy payments".

Last July, after two years of talks on 바카라사이트 USS failed to produce a deal, 바카라사이트 independent chair of 바카라사이트 JNC, Sir Andrew Cubie, used his casting vote to back 바카라사이트 employers' plans.

The changes were modified after a consultation with USS members. But 바카라사이트 UCU is blocking 바카라사이트ir implementation - originally scheduled for 1 April this year - by refusing to attend 바카라사이트 JNC, which cannot be quorate without it.

UCU representatives said that if 바카라사이트y attended, 바카라사이트 chair would simply use his casting vote to back 바카라사이트 employers without negotiation.

Ms Hunt said: "If we can negotiate a solution...both sides will have to find a compromise. Using 바카라사이트 casting vote to impose 바카라사이트ir view, that is not a negotiation."

Employers said 바카라사이트 union agreed 바카라사이트 process for scheme change and 바카라사이트 appointment of Sir Andrew.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.