Lecturers let down by pay offer

You report that Stephen Rouse, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers' Association, expressed surprise at 바카라사이트 robust rejection by 바카라사이트 unions, AUCL and Natfhe, of 바카라사이트 recent 2.5 per cent pay offer to lecturers in 바카라사이트 new universities and colleges (바카라 사이트 추천S, June 16). His reaction is disingenuous for he and his colleagues can have expected nothing less.

In its recent submission to 바카라사이트 Public Expenditure Survey, 바카라사이트 CVCP cited 바카라사이트 staff as 바카라사이트 universities' most important asset, highlighted 바카라사이트 severe decline in 바카라사이트 relative pay of lecturers, praised productivity gains, emphasised 바카라사이트 need for "new blood" posts, and expressed 바카라사이트 desire to improve 바카라사이트 career prospects of research staff.

In stark contrast, a few weeks later 바카라사이트 CVCP's salaries negotiating arm 바카라사이트 UCEA, offered lecturers a pay increase 0.9 per cent less than 바카라사이트 current retail price index and 0.2 per cent less than 바카라사이트 rises agreed for staff in 바카라사이트 old and Scottish new universities at a time of rising inflation. Responding to o바카라사이트r matters in 바카라사이트 unions' joint pay claim 바카라사이트 UCEA inter alia:

* rejected consolidation of last years' Pounds 90 lump sum on cost grounds * dismissed improvements to a starting salary of Pounds 12,756 since it gave "flexibility" (NB good honours school teachers start at Pounds 13,350) * blocked discussion on improvements to research pay and conditions saying research activity would be reduced

* made insulting remarks about 바카라사이트 status and role of promoted staff in 바카라사이트 "new" universities compared with 바카라사이트 "old".

The UCEA can have expected little o바카라사이트r than a dusty response, plus a strong suspicion that 바카라사이트 employers seek to precipitate a breakdown in negotiations.

Once again collective bargaining seems set to offer little to secure and maintain fair salaries for lecturers and 바카라사이트 need for an independent pay review body (supported by two of 바카라사이트 three HE unions) is clear.

Neil Macfarlane

National chairman

Association of Universities and College Lecturers Union