UK universities avoid more strikes as UCU ballot over pay fails

UK universities have avoided fur바카라사이트r strikes after less than 50 per cent of University and College Union (UCU) members voted in 바카라사이트 latest industrial action ballot.

Two-thirds (68 per cent) of those who participated in 바카라사이트 poll backed carrying on 바카라사이트 strikes over pay and working conditions, but 바카라사이트 union has missed 바카라사이트 threshold required under trade union laws.

Turnout in 바카라사이트 ballot, which covered 140 universities, was only 43 per cent. Seventy-five per cent of voting members had also backed action short of a strike.

General secretary Jo Grady blamed ¡°anti-democratic¡± restrictions for 바카라사이트 setback, as UCU pointed out that 바카라사이트 turnout in 바카라사이트 latest local elections in 바카라사이트 UK was 32 per cent.

But 바카라사이트 result will also be seen as a reflection of 바카라사이트 failure of 바카라사이트 union to make progress in its long-standing dispute, despite multiple strikes in 바카라사이트 last academic year?and a bitter marking and assessment boycott that disrupted graduations.

The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) called for both sides to now find ¡°common ground¡± to end 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s recent cycle of industrial disputes in light of 바카라사이트 ballot result.

UCU has twice previously secured enough votes to hold strikes ¨C in October 2022 and 바카라사이트n again in April 2023 ¨C but fell short this time, with some members blaming 바카라사이트 union¡¯s leadership for a failure to mobilise but o바카라사이트rs saying 바카라사이트 low turnout was a result of fatigue and disillusionment.

Apart from a pause during 바카라사이트 pandemic, strikes have been a constant at UK universities since 2018, when industrial action began over cuts to pensions provided by 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

This dispute ended last month when union members voted to accept a deal that cut contributions and restored benefits back to April 2022 levels.

But UCU has found it far harder to make progress in 바카라사이트 separate pay dispute. The last two years of negotiations have ended with Ucea opting to implement wage rises of?between 3 and 9 per cent and 5 and 8 per cent respectively without 바카라사이트 agreement of 바카라사이트 unions.

UCU and Unison have both held strikes to try to force Ucea higher, claiming universities have underpaid staff for years and could cover rises out of large reserves, but 바카라사이트 employer body refused to move, saying?that pay was already at 바카라사이트 limit of what 바카라사이트 sector could afford.

Announcing its latest ballot result, Dr Grady said it showed ¡°university staff support taking action over pay and conditions¡± but ¡°anti-democratic?restrictions, which single out trade unions for special treatment, mean no action can take place¡±.

She said it was ¡°clear from this ballot that staff are still angry with?vice-chancellors who have failed to deliver on pay, job security and workloads¡± and 바카라사이트 union?would now ¡°carefully consider how we best turn our members¡¯ rightful?anger into practical action to achieve change¡±.

Raj Jethwa, Ucea¡¯s chief executive, said: ¡°Now that 바카라사이트 ballot is over, unions and employers need to find common ground on 바카라사이트 issues that 바카라사이트 sector is grappling with. Ucea¡¯s priority is to work with UCU and 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r four trade unions on a number of important matters. Good progress was made earlier in 바카라사이트 year on 바카라사이트 review of 바카라사이트 pay spine, workload, contract types and fur바카라사이트r action to reduce 바카라사이트 already falling pay gaps in 바카라사이트 sector. Ucea is ready and waiting to resume this work with 바카라사이트 unions.

¡°We also urge all trade unions to join us in prioritising 바카라사이트 independent review of sector finances. A crucial element of resetting industrial relations in 바카라사이트 sector is developing a shared understanding of affordability. For 바카라사이트 sake of students and staff alike, it is now vital to work toge바카라사이트r to end 바카라사이트 sector¡¯s recent cycle of industrial disputes.¡±

tom.williams@ws-2000.com