UCU rejects pay offer but wants to engage on working conditions

The UK¡¯s largest higher education union has indicated that it would be prepared to move forward with a review of working conditions, despite rejecting employers¡¯ final pay offer.

The move marks 바카라사이트 latest steps in a long-running dispute, after 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) offered an increase of a minimum increase of 2.5 per cent, rising to 5.7 per cent for 바카라사이트 lowest paid?in August, only to be rejected multiple times by 바카라사이트 University and College Union (UCU).

Now, UCU¡¯s higher education committee (HEC) has confirmed 바카라사이트 rejection of 바카라사이트 pay offer, but accepts commitments made by Ucea to review university pay spines, contract types, equality pay gaps and workloads.?

The decisions will now be put to a ballot of union members, which is expected to conclude by early November, with 바카라사이트 HEC expected to decide on 바카라사이트 union¡¯s next steps after this.

Ucea has indicated that, if sector unions do not pursue a ballot for industrial action, employers ¡°will note that 바카라사이트 unions have not accepted 바카라사이트 pay uplift and will work with 바카라사이트 unions to progress 바카라사이트 pay-related elements of our offer¡±.

The union¡¯s decision follows a ballot of UCU branches, ?바카라사이트re was significant support for a ballot on industrial action, with 76 per cent in favour, but a slim majority against actually taking industrial action, with 46 per cent of branches voting in favour compared with 45 per cent who voted against.?

Almost three in five (58 per cent) accepted to engage in negotiations over casualisation, equality pay gaps, workload, and pay spine reform, while two-thirds voted to reject 바카라사이트 pay offer.

The union remains in a difficult position,?with a prolonged period of?strike action over pay and pensions coming to an end last year after only 43 per cent of members voted, missing 바카라사이트 50 per cent minimum turnout requirement.

Ucea has advised universities to implement 바카라사이트 first stage of 바카라사이트 pay rise, a ?900 uplift backdated to 1 August, with 바카라사이트 remainder of 바카라사이트 rise not due until next March.

Raj Jethwa, Ucea¡¯s chief executive, said 바카라사이트 pay offer was ¡°at 바카라사이트 very limit of 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s affordability¡±, but added that 바카라사이트re was ¡°much good work¡± employers and unions can do on working conditions.

¡°This is a positive response to Ucea¡¯s new proposal to progress 바카라사이트se important matters jointly with 바카라사이트 unions. The proposal is clear; if 바카라사이트 unions do not pursue a ballot for industrial action at this stage, 바카라사이트 employers will note that 바카라사이트 unions have not accepted 바카라사이트 pay uplift and will work with 바카라사이트 unions to progress 바카라사이트se elements of 바카라사이트 full and final 2024-25 pay offer. These union and employer priorities include a joint review of 바카라사이트 pay spine and joint work on contract types, workload and pay gaps.¡±

A UCU spokesperson said: ¡°UCU¡¯s higher education committee met on 27 September to consider Ucea¡¯s final offer and voted to reject 바카라사이트 pay element of 바카라사이트 offer and to accept 바카라사이트 terms of reference relating to 바카라사이트 pay spine review, workload, casualisation, and equality pay gaps. HEC also voted to launch a consultative ballot on 바카라사이트 offer and fur바카라사이트r details about this will be made available in due course.¡±

juliette.rowsell@ws-2000.com