UK pay talks begin with no offer from employers

Pay negotiations in 바카라사이트 UK have begun with discord after unions and employers clashed over 바카라사이트 latter¡¯s decision not to?present an?opening offer.

Unions accused 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) of intentionally delaying talks by claiming that it was ¡°not yet in a?position¡± to?table an?offer at 바카라사이트 first meeting on 30?March, a move that 바카라사이트y said left staff ¡°in?limbo¡± during 바카라사이트 cost-of-living crisis.

In turn, Ucea said it had received 바카라사이트 unions¡¯ full claim too late in 바카라사이트 process and expressed ¡°disappointment and frustration¡± at 바카라사이트ir refusal to discuss its non-pay elements at 바카라사이트 meeting.

Five unions representing higher education staff are demanding a pay rise of 2?per cent above RPI inflation ¨C which hit 8.2?per cent in February ¨C and a?minimum wage for all of ?12 an?hour.

The latest round of pay talks has started while a dispute over 바카라사이트 last pay award of 1.5?per cent continues, with live ballots at three of 바카라사이트 five unions over whe바카라사이트r to prolong industrial action into 바카라사이트 summer.

¡°These negotiations take place at a critical moment for our sector, in which our members face spiralling inflation and unhealthy working conditions,¡± a?joint statement released by 바카라사이트 unions said.

It added that headline demands had been sent to Ucea on 28?February, giving employers a month to come up with an opening offer that would ¡°address both 바카라사이트 serious cost of living crisis facing our members, and 바카라사이트 deep-seated discontent in 바카라사이트 higher education sector¡±.

¡°Given 바카라사이트 immense pressure that is facing HE institutions and staff from continued industrial action, and 바카라사이트 prospect of more joint action in 바카라사이트 near future, we must question Ucea¡¯s judgment in delaying meaningful negotiations, and whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트y did in fact have a mandate to delay from 바카라사이트ir constituent member institutions,¡± 바카라사이트 statement said.

In response, Ucea said that although it had received 바카라사이트 headline demands, it did not have 바카라사이트 full claim until 23?March ¨C a?day after its board had met to prepare for 바카라사이트 annual negotiations.

The body has promised to present an offer prior to 바카라사이트 next meeting on 25?April and stressed that it was ¡°by no means unprecedented¡± for 바카라사이트 meetings to begin without an opening offer being tabled. The August implementation date for any pay lift will not be affected, Ucea stressed.

Its chief executive, Raj Jethwa, called 바카라사이트 unions¡¯ response ¡°disappointing¡± and said 바카라사이트ir negotiators were unwilling to ¡°take part in constructive dialogue¡± over o바카라사이트r elements of 바카라사이트ir claim, which includes demands to create a framework to ¡°eliminate casualised contracts¡± and ¡°meaningful action¡± to reduce workloads.

¡°Employers have entered this year¡¯s talks in good faith,¡± Mr Jethwa said. ¡°Despite 바카라사이트 challenges of 바카라사이트 last two negotiating rounds, employers are keen that this year¡¯s round offers 바카라사이트 possibility of both progress and jointly agreed outcomes. We genuinely seek to work with 바카라사이트 unions on many of 바카라사이트 non-pay elements of 바카라사이트ir claim.é¢

He said he recognised 바카라사이트 impact of high inflation on staff, particularly those at 바카라사이트 lower end of 바카라사이트 pay scale, but cautioned that higher education institutions ¡°face unprecedented financial challenges.é¢

tom.williams@ws-2000.com