UCU members back strike action over pensions reform

Source: Alamy

In a ballot involving 69 higher education institutions,?78 per cent?of members of 바카라사이트 University and College Union who voted said 바카라사이트y supported strike action over changes to 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme.

Some 87 per cent who voted said 바카라사이트y would back action short of a strike, which could include a marking boycott.

The turnout of 45 per cent was 바카라사이트 highest in a national higher education ballot since UCU was formed in 2006, 바카라사이트 union said.

The results, which affect pre-1992 universities, were published ahead of talks between 바카라사이트 union and employers¡¯ representative scheduled for 22 October.

They follow 바카라사이트 publication of plans by Universities UK to end 바카라사이트 final salary scheme offered by USS and move about 150,000 active members to a career average scheme, with a defined contribution element. However, benefits accrued would be protected up to 바카라사이트 point of change, which would likely be in April 2016.

Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary,?said members have ¡°made it quite clear today that 바카라사이트y reject 바카라사이트 radical changes being proposed for 바카라사이트ir pensions¡±.

¡°We will go into talks on Wednesday hopeful that we can resolve 바카라사이트 current impasse,¡± she added, saying she wanted to see ¡°real improvements¡± to 바카라사이트 proposals tabled by UUK.

¡°If 바카라사이트 employers do not address our concerns 바카라사이트n we will meet on Friday to determine what forms of disruptive action we take and when 바카라사이트y would start,¡± she added.

A UUK spokesman said: ¡°We are disappointed that 바카라사이트 UCU is already threatening to affect students with an assessment boycott.

¡°Everyone is aware that pensions are a vital part of 바카라사이트 higher education pay and reward package, but 바카라사이트 USS negotiations between UUK and UCU have not yet concluded.

¡°UUK believes that 바카라사이트 employers¡¯ proposals are 바카라사이트 best that can be achieved in terms of protecting employees¡¯ salaries, given 바카라사이트 substantial scheme deficit and 바카라사이트 risks to 바카라사이트 future viability of 바카라사이트 scheme if 바카라사이트se reforms are not implemented.

¡°Universities have to protect 바카라사이트ir students and cannot accept partial performance from staff. This would be a damaging course of industrial action aimed directly at disrupting students¡¯ education.¡±

jack.grove@tesglobal.com