Autumn of discontent

Autumn strikes look set to hit old and new universities for 바카라사이트 first time as unions join forces in protest at "paltry" pay offers and higher education funding cuts.

Tom Wilson, assistant general secretary of 바카라사이트 Association of University Teachers, said: "I think we could be looking at 바카라사이트 first shut down of 바카라사이트 whole university sector." But he added: "We will make absolutely certain that no student suffers in any way."

The big three higher education unions, 바카라사이트 AUT, Natfhe and Unison, agreed at a meeting on Monday to co-ordinate industrial action against 1.5 per cent pay offers and severe revenue and capital cuts. One-day strikes could begin by late October or early November.

The Association of University and College Lecturers, Manufacturing Science and Finance Union, representing technicians, as well as 바카라사이트 General Municipal and Boilermakers and Transport and General Workers Unions, representing support and maintenance staff, are likely to fall into line.

One-day strikes could involve everyone from senior academic and administrative staff, to technicians and support and maintenance staff.

The AUT has called a special council meeting on September 18 to finalise arrangements for a ballot on industrial action.

Elaine Harrison of Unison, 바카라사이트 single biggest union in 바카라사이트 sector with 50,000 members, said: "I cannot recall industrial action in 바카라사이트 higher education sector ever going this far."

The AUT and Unison are holding strike ballot consultations with local branches after rejecting 바카라사이트 1.5 per cent increase offered by 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association. The UCEA made 바카라사이트 same offer to AUCL and Natfhe negotiators yesterday.

A UCEA spokesman said: "We have no more money to offer. This year's offer is at an unacceptably low level and this is entirely due to 바카라사이트 underfunding of 바카라사이트 universities by 바카라사이트 Government. We would hope 바카라사이트 Government will restore adequate levels of funding."

Ted Nield, spokesman for 바카라사이트 Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals, said: "We would hope that it is never necessary for unions to concert efforts in this way because of 바카라사이트 damage it does to students' prospects."