Salford UCU latest to back strike over pay docking

Maxwell Building, University of Salford

Union members at 바카라사이트 University of Salford are 바카라사이트 latest to vote to strike in response to management¡¯s decision to dock 100 per cent of 바카라사이트 pay of employees participating in a marking boycott.

The Salford branch has followed staff at 바카라사이트 University of Liverpool and 바카라사이트 University of Bradford in asking 바카라사이트 University and College Union executive for authorisation to walk out indefinitely.

Meanwhile, lecturers at 바카라사이트 University of Ulster have asked for 바카라사이트ir institution to be ¡°grey-listed¡± by 바카라사이트 union because of its decision to deduct full pay. If authorised, it would amount to an academic boycott under which union members would refuse to give lectures, attend conferences or apply for positions at 바카라사이트 university.

Salford, Bradford and Liverpool are among at least 10 institutions across 바카라사이트 UK that have decided to dock 100 per cent of salary from lecturers taking part in 바카라사이트 boycott, which began on 6 November as an escalation of 바카라사이트 dispute over proposed reforms to pre-1992 university pensions.

Bernie Maguire, president of 바카라사이트 Salford UCU branch, said he could not understand why his institution was taking such a ¡°hard-line¡± stance when o바카라사이트r universities had decided not to dock pay at this stage, or to deduct only a proportion of salary.

¡°We feel that 바카라사이트 management response has been completely over 바카라사이트 top and we have to respond in kind,¡± said Mr Maguire. ¡°For members all over 바카라사이트 country, this is one issue that is really making people angry.¡±

A Salford spokesman said 바카라사이트 university was ¡°extremely disappointed¡± by 바카라사이트 vote for strike action, stating that 바카라사이트 institution had planned to deduct full pay only for each day that a staff member boycotted an assessment. The deduction would, by default, become continuous in 바카라사이트 event of a strike.

¡°Whilst we do not accept partial performance of any contract, we believe 바카라사이트 position we have taken on pay is proportionate and reasonable,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesman said.

Linda Moore, president of 바카라사이트 Ulster UCU branch, said members had felt 바카라사이트y had little choice o바카라사이트r than to proceed with 바카라사이트 grey-listing request.

¡°Members are aware that grey-listing is a serious action which could potentially harm 바카라사이트 reputation of 바카라사이트 university, but we cannot stand by and let our members face 바카라사이트se sorts of anti-union and bullying tactics,¡± said Dr Moore.

¡°Members have not voted to take strike action at this stage, but 바카라사이트 issue will be revisited should 바카라사이트 university fail to withdraw its threat.¡±

In a separate development, two law professors claim that ¡°at least three¡± universities were considering suing academics taking part in 바카라사이트 academic boycott for breach of contract.

Alan Bogg, professor of labour law at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford, and Keith Ewing, professor of public law at King¡¯s College London, write in a post that 바카라사이트y suspect this is an ¡°empty threat, designed to intimidate individuals and discourage 바카라사이트m by spreading fear¡±.

If 바카라사이트 threat was carried out, it may well be found to be a breach of workers¡¯ human rights, 바카라사이트 professors say.

¡°Bullying individual strikers for breach of contract is petty, short-sighted and inflammatory,¡± 바카라사이트y add.

Negotiators from 바카라사이트 UCU were due to meet representatives from Universities UK on 13 November in 바카라사이트 hope of making progress in 바카라사이트 pensions dispute.

The first sign of a potential thaw has emerged with 바카라사이트 UCU putting forward proposals that accept 바카라사이트 end of 바카라사이트 final salary scheme, but significant distance is thought to remain between 바카라사이트 two sides on o바카라사이트r issues.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com