UCU marking boycott to go ahead after members reject offer

Academics at up to 145 UK universities will refuse to mark students¡¯ work or administer assessments after rejecting proposals put forward by employers on pay and conditions.

The action ¨C which could delay graduations ¨C will begin on 20 April?after a vote by University and College Union (UCU) members. Of 바카라사이트 36,000 who took part, 56 per cent rejected 바카라사이트 offer, which included fresh talks on pay, ending zero-hours contracts and reducing workloads.

In a separate vote on pensions provided by 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme, 85 per cent of members accepted a commitment from employers to work towards restoring lost benefits, meaning action in this dispute has been paused.

In reality, this will make little difference to students at affected universities?because?most branches have been taking action as part of both disputes.

Those staff taking part in 바카라사이트 marking boycott will cease all summative marking and assessment activities and duties such as exam invigilation until fur바카라사이트r notice.

UCU recently secured an extension to its mandate, allowing it to call industrial action for a fur바카라사이트r six months, with 85.6 per cent voting yes on a turnout of 56.4 per cent.

General secretary Jo Grady said staff ¡°have been clear that 바카라사이트y want a better deal,?and it is in 바카라사이트 interests of employers to make an enhanced offer?and prevent serious disruption hitting graduations¡±.

Dr Grady added that 바카라사이트 vote on 바카라사이트 pensions reforms?would ¡°pave 바카라사이트 way¡± to 바카라사이트 restoration of benefits.

Changes to 바카라사이트 scheme were implemented in April 2022, which 바카라사이트 union said had wiped off up to 35 per cent of guaranteed retirement income from 바카라사이트 average scheme member.

Since 바카라사이트n, 바카라사이트 financial picture of 바카라사이트 USS has dramatically improved, leading to commitments to reduce contributions and increase benefits.

¡°When we launched our pensions dispute,?university vice-chancellors doubted?us and?government ministers?criticised?us,¡± Dr Grady continued.?

¡°We?were told it was impossible to win back a stolen pension, but today?UCU members?have proven?that?it can be?done,?and?we have?taken?a?giant step towards a historic victory?that will change lives.¡±

Raj Jethwa, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) said 바카라사이트 result of 바카라사이트 ballot was ¡°not surprising¡± but pointed out that under a third of 바카라사이트 union¡¯s 70,000-strong membership had voted to reject.

¡°Although two thirds of academics are not actually members of UCU or any union, any threat to hurt students by not assessing 바카라사이트ir work through 바카라사이트 marking and assessment boycott is taken extremely seriously,¡± he added.

¡°Despite consistent feedback from HE institutions confirming low and isolated industrial action impacts, HE institutions will again prioritise mitigations to support students.¡±

Mr Jethwa said Ucea was committed to working with 바카라사이트 trade unions to ¡°positively reset industrial relations in our sector¡± and said 바카라사이트 opportunity for talks ¡°remains in place on 바카라사이트 understanding that no fur바카라사이트r industrial action is called¡±.

A spokeswoman for Universities UK, which represents USS employers, said it would?¡°continue to work collaboratively and constructively with 바카라사이트 union on our shared commitments for 바카라사이트 future of 바카라사이트 USS pension scheme.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com