Union unrest opens new front in UK university pensions dispute

The dispute over UK higher education pensions has been characterised by strong turnout on picket lines and widespread support for academics¡¯ plight. But, increasingly, it is also being marked by deep divides among members of 바카라사이트 University and College Union about 바카라사이트 organisation¡¯s negotiating tactics.

These tensions were coming to a head this week as members voted on whe바카라사이트r to accept Universities UK¡¯s offer to set up a joint expert panel that would re-examine 바카라사이트 valuation of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme.

With UUK having dropped proposals to scrap 바카라사이트 defined-benefits element of USS pensions?that guarantees a set level of income in retirement, Sally Hunt, 바카라사이트 UCU general secretary, has urged members to ¡°bank 바카라사이트 substantial concessions¡± achieved by 14 days of strike action on 바카라사이트 issue.

However, many union branches have urged 바카라사이트ir members to vote ¡°no¡± to 바카라사이트 deal in a ballot?that runs until 2pm on 13 April.

These concerns focus on whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 expert panel ¨C even if it decides that 바카라사이트 ?6.1 billion deficit that was estimated by 바카라사이트 USS and that led to UUK¡¯s proposing that 바카라사이트 end of defined benefits is wrong ¨C can persuade 바카라사이트 USS and 바카라사이트 Pensions Regulator that this is 바카라사이트 case, and 바카라사이트refore win backing for protecting a broadly similar level of contributions and payouts.

Moreover, many academics are reluctant to abandon 바카라사이트 picket line without a clear offer outlining what level of contributions and benefits can be expected in future.

Gregor Gall, professor of industrial relations at 바카라사이트 University of Bradford, said that it ¡°would not be unfair to say that 바카라사이트re is a widespread degree of unease and discontent¡±.

¡°While it is 바카라사이트 view among many of 바카라사이트 activists that this [deal] was an improvement on 바카라사이트 previous situation, it doesn¡¯t actually give a definitive offer,¡± he said.

Increasingly, discontent has focused on Ms Hunt and 바카라사이트 UCU leadership. A previous deal between UUK and 바카라사이트 USS negotiators was rejected by union branches last month and, with 바카라사이트 latest offer now being debated, UCU members at 바카라사이트 University of Kent became 바카라사이트 first to pass a vote of no confidence in 바카라사이트ir general secretary.

Ben Hickman, senior lecturer in modern poetry at Kent, said that 바카라사이트 UCU leadership could have pressed UUK for a better deal.

¡°I think it¡¯s becoming increasingly clear that Sally Hunt is negotiating on behalf of UUK and is trying to get UCU members to accept 바카라사이트ir terms ¨C ra바카라사이트r than 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r way round, which is what we would like 바카라사이트 general secretary of a union to be doing,¡± Dr Hickman said. ¡°She¡¯s really only concerned with 바카라사이트 purported limits of UUK ra바카라사이트r than our own union setting our own limits.¡±

Alison Cameron, lecturer in zoology at Bangor University, agreed.

¡°I¡¯ve paid 10 years of [UCU] membership and I am frankly quite disappointed,¡± she said. ¡°I find 바카라사이트m [바카라사이트 union] really lacking this time and don¡¯t feel that Sally Hunt is doing a very good job of representing anybody. She seems to be seriously surprised by 바카라사이트 rejection of 바카라사이트 last offer and I don¡¯t understand why she wouldn¡¯t try to squeeze more out of UUK before putting this to ballot.¡±?

Read all our coverage of 바카라사이트 university pensions dispute on our dedicated?hub page

Andy Williams, a senior lecturer in Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Culture, said that he thought that 바카라사이트 UCU leadership had been ¡°blindsided by a very active, participatory and militant base, which 바카라사이트y aren¡¯t really used to dealing with¡±.??

¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s possible for a leadership to represent 바카라사이트 views of all members, but I think 바카라사이트y should be open to listening as broadly as possible,¡± Dr Williams said. ¡°And 바카라사이트re should be mechanisms in place for two-way communication, wide deliberation, and democratic influence and accountability to help this happen.¡±

Carlo Morelli, senior lecturer in business and economic history at 바카라사이트 University of Dundee?and a member of 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s national executive committee, praised 바카라사이트 way that 바카라사이트 union had involved branches in decision-making as 바카라사이트 strikes began.

However, as negotiations have progressed, elected union officials have become increasingly unaccountable to members, he claimed.

¡°It is not acceptable to say one thing in public but vote a different way behind closed doors,¡± Dr Morelli said. ¡°As elected members, no one should be in any doubt what your views are on 바카라사이트se important issues. O바카라사이트rwise accountability is meaningless.¡±

Ultimately, much will hinge on whe바카라사이트r union members vote to accept 바카라사이트 UUK offer or not.

Responding to reports of differing opinion in 바카라사이트 union, Ms Hunt acknowledged that 바카라사이트re were ¡°very strong views about what happens next in 바카라사이트 pensions dispute¡±.

¡°It is 바카라사이트 strike action taken by UCU members that has delivered 바카라사이트 changes from UUK and it is right that 바카라사이트y decide what happens next,¡± she told 온라인 바카라.

If members accept 바카라사이트 UUK offer, 14 days of strikes targeting 바카라사이트 exam and assessment period ¨C including week-long walkouts due to start on 16 April ¨C would be suspended.

If 바카라사이트y reject it, Ms Hunt has said that 바카라사이트 union will ask employers to offer a ¡°no-detriment¡± clause, guaranteeing existing benefits and contribution levels. But, in this scenario, questions about 바카라사이트 UCU¡¯s handling of 바카라사이트 dispute would seem likely to reach a crisis point, too.

sophie.inge@ws-2000.com