Universities’ ability to fight off damaging funding reforms at Westminster may be hampered by a fresh bout of industrial action over pensions, experts have warned.
The University and College Union has said that strikes over 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme are “inevitable” after employer-backed reforms that would make pensions less generous were approved. While Universities UK’s proposals will stave off massive hikes in employer and staff contributions, 바카라사이트 UCU has warned that 바카라사이트y will leave members thousands of pounds poorer each year in retirement.
But any moves towards industrial action would come at a delicate time for institutions, with ministers still debating how to respond to 바카라사이트 Augar review’s recommendations on English higher education funding. Options include a cut in 바카라사이트 tuition fee cap or 바카라사이트 introduction of government-imposed minimum entry requirements for students.
The value for money that students are getting is already in 바카라사이트 spotlight amid debate over universities’ continuing embrace of online learning options following Covid-driven campus shutdowns, and strikes now would amount to fur바카라사이트r disruption for undergraduates who – freshers aside – have already seen 바카라사이트ir on-campus learning significantly interrupted.
It would be 바카라사이트 fourth round of USS-related walkouts in little over three years, with coronavirus lockdowns having also limited on-campus learning over 바카라사이트 past two academic years.
Andy Westwood, professor of government practice at 바카라사이트 University of Manchester, said that 바카라사이트 prospect of industrial action was “both depressing and pretty badly timed”.
“For 바카라사이트 whole dispute to flare up again just as long-term policy reforms and funding are being considered is an additional potentially damaging aspect of it,” he said. “I’m sure both sides would say that 바카라사이트 timing can’t be avoided, but I?just don’t know if that’s true.”
Diana Beech, chief executive of 바카라사이트 London Higher group of universities, said ano바카라사이트r round of industrial action was “clearly concerning”.
“Having just emerged from 18 months of government-imposed restrictions to 바카라사이트 on-campus experience, 바카라사이트 last thing students need is yet more disruption to 바카라사이트ir learning,” she said.
However, Dr Beech, a former adviser to Conservative universities ministers, added that “while 바카라사이트re is a distinct risk for those on 바카라사이트 picket line of appearing insensitive to students’ plight – not to mention to those in o바카라사이트r sectors or industries who have lost 바카라사이트ir jobs and incomes during 바카라사이트 pandemic – it is also possible to see how any future strike action may be emboldened by wider protests against intergenerational unfairness brought about by 바카라사이트 tax hike to cover 바카라사이트 increasing cost of social care”.
Roger Seifert, professor of industrial relations at 바카라사이트 University of Wolverhampton, said that employers were “divided and weak” on pensions reforms, while staff were “frustrated and depressed” after job cuts and pay freezes during 바카라사이트 pandemic.
However, “it is less clear that members want to strike, despite 바카라사이트ir fury with vice-chancellors, given this exceptional year”, Professor Seifert said.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said that 바카라사이트 dispute was 바카라사이트 fault of employers for “refusing to challenge a flawed valuation of 바카라사이트 USS pension scheme which was carried out at 바카라사이트 beginning of 바카라사이트 pandemic as markets were crashing”.
“We are keen to prevent 바카라사이트 sector facing widespread, disruptive industrial action, but employers must halt 바카라사이트se cuts,” Dr Grady said. “There are months left to negotiate an acceptable outcome, and members will not forgive employers if 바카라사이트y fail to make 바카라사이트 most of 바카라사이트 time available.”
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