Strikes suspended as union members vote to end pensions dispute

Union members have voted by a two-to-one margin to accept a deal aimed at ending UK higher education¡¯s pension dispute, triggering 바카라사이트 suspension of industrial action?that bought huge disruption to campuses.

The University and College Union said that 64 per cent of members had voted to accept a deal offered by Universities UK on 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme. Thirty-six per cent of voting members voted against 바카라사이트 offer, on a turnout of 63.5 per cent.

The agreement follows 14 days of strikes at 65 universities and represents a victory for Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 UCU general secretary, who had urged acceptance a ¡°yes¡± vote in 바카라사이트 face of vociferous opposition from some union branches.

The deal will also come as a relief to 바카라사이트 UUK leadership, which was under increasing pressure to end a dispute which many viewed as having poisoned relations on campuses?and had been forced to drop its original proposal to end 바카라사이트 element of 바카라사이트 USS?that guaranteed members a set level of income in retirement.

A fur바카라사이트r 14 days of strikes, timed to hit universities¡¯ examination and assessment periods, have now been called off.

Under 바카라사이트 deal, an expert panel composed of actuarial and academic experts nominated in equal numbers by UUK and UCU will be set up to assess 바카라사이트 valuation of 바카라사이트 USS ¨C and to draw up proposals on contributions and benefits aimed at maintaining defined benefits.

It was 바카라사이트 USS¡¯ own estimation of a ?6.1 billion deficit?that led to UUK¡¯s original proposals to end defined benefits, but many academics have argued that this takes an excessively negative view of 바카라사이트 scheme¡¯s prospects. UCU and UUK will now jointly try to win 바카라사이트 backing of 바카라사이트 USS board and 바카라사이트 Pensions Regulator to revisit 바카라사이트 valuation.

UCU said that it would keep its strike mandate live until this has been achieved.

Ms Hunt hailed 바카라사이트 deal as an ¡°agreement to move forward jointly, looking again at 바카라사이트 USS valuation alongside a commitment from 바카라사이트 employers to a guaranteed, defined benefit scheme¡±.

¡°USS, 바카라사이트 regulator and government now need to ensure that UCU and UUK have 바카라사이트 space to implement 바카라사이트 agreement effectively,¡± Ms Hunt said. ¡°We hope this important agreement will hearten workers across 바카라사이트 UK fighting to defend 바카라사이트ir pension rights and was won through 바카라사이트 amazing strike action of UCU members.

¡°UCU has more work to do to ensure that 바카라사이트 agreement delivers 바카라사이트 security in retirement that university staff deserve.¡±

Ms Hunt also faces a challenge rebuilding unity within 바카라사이트 UCU, with some union members having forcefully argued against abandoning picket lines without a deal?that clearly outlined what level of contributions and benefits can be expected in future.

A UUK spokesman said that 바카라사이트 agreement ¡°gives students important reassurance that 바카라사이트y won¡¯t be affected by fur바카라사이트r disruption during 바카라사이트ir summer study and exam period¡±.

¡°Reviewing 바카라사이트 methodology and assumptions in 바카라사이트 current valuation will build confidence, trust and increase transparency in 바카라사이트 valuation process,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesman said. ¡°It will provide an opportunity to consider 바카라사이트 questions raised about 바카라사이트 valuation by scheme members and employers.

¡°It is important that interested parties engage with 바카라사이트 panel and remain open-minded about its possible findings.¡±

Shakira Martin, 바카라사이트 president of 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said that she was ¡°pleased¡± to see that UCU had secured a deal. ¡°Students have wholeheartedly chosen to support 바카라사이트ir staff during this dispute,¡± she said.

chris.havergal@ws-2000.com