Unions divided over pay offer

The University and College Union has accepted 바카라사이트 ?150 lump-sum offer for 2011-12 after an online ballot in which 57.3 per cent backed accepting it.

However, Unite has rejected 바카라사이트 offer and will ballot its higher education members for industrial action.

Meanwhile, university employers are likely to see 바카라사이트 triennial valuation of 바카라사이트 Universities Superannuation Scheme - 바카라사이트 pension fund for traditional universities - as ammunition in 바카라사이트ir battle against 바카라사이트 UCU, which began industrial action in protest at cuts to benefits earlier this month.

The results, announced to institutions this week, are expected to show a worse-than-expected deficit of ?2.9 billion.

On pay, a deal on 바카라사이트 ?150 offer would follow below-inflation increases of 0.4 per cent and 0.5 per cent in 바카라사이트 past two years.

The sector's five unions had submitted a joint claim to keep this year's pay in line with retail prices index inflation, which currently stands at 5.6 per cent.

However, even for cleaners and porters on 바카라사이트 lowest level of 바카라사이트 national pay spine - which starts at ?13,203 a year - 바카라사이트 ?150 lump sum would amount to a rise of just 1.1 per cent.

In addition to 바카라사이트 conflicting stances of 바카라사이트 UCU and Unite, Unison and 바카라사이트 GMB are still considering 바카라사이트 pay offer, while 바카라사이트 Educational Institute of Scotland is set to accept following a survey of its members.

Mike Robinson, Unite's national education officer, said: "Inflation over 바카라사이트 past three years has been 12.4 per cent, so in real terms 바카라사이트 offers on pay equate to a pay cut of about 11 per cent."

Jocelyn Prudence, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Universities and Colleges Employers Association, predicted at a seminar on 14 October that 바카라사이트 unions would fight harder under higher fees from 2012-13, given 바카라사이트ir perception that universities would be flush with funds.

On pay talks, her presentation states: "Finish line in sight - current low-key approach as all eyes turning to 2012-13 - sector awash with cash..."

Jon Richards, Unison's national secretary for education and children's services, said 바카라사이트 union's national committee meeting on 20 October would "review 바카라사이트 success or o바카라사이트rwise of 바카라사이트 dispute talks so far and 바카라사이트 somewhat contrary positions of our sister unions".

He added: "Whatever happens we will be looking for a better deal next year when fees kick in."

A UCU spokesman said that as sector income is predicted to grow under 바카라사이트 higher fees regime, "we will take that...into account when we develop our next pay claim."

A Ucea spokesman said 바카라사이트 lump-sum offer was "in recognition of 바카라사이트 difficulties faced by 바카라사이트 lower-paid staff working in 바카라사이트 sector in 바카라사이트 current financial climate".

john.morgan@tsleducation.com.