National Negotiations Timeline
Timeline
March
19. The five trade unions (EIS, GMB, UCU, Unison and Unite) submit their pay claim for the 2010/11 academic year.
See: Joint HE Union National Claim 2010
26. The UCEA Board met to discuss the claim (above)
29. First meeting of New JNCHES for the 2010/11 pay round.
UCEA presents the document New JNCHES negotiations 2010 - 11 UCEAs approach and the document
UCEA list of HEIs participating in collective bargaining 2010 - 11
30. UCEA's statement on the first meeting of New JNCHES pay negotiations on 29 March 2010 is released
Unions’ joint statement released, see the EIS website at http://www.eis.org.uk/public.asp?id=458&dbase=3
April
19. Second meeting of New JNCHES for the 2010/11 pay round. UCEA discussed further the unions’ joint claim for 4% plus other elements. UCEA emphasized the need for the trade unions to calculate the cost of all elements of the claim. UCEA explained further the difficult and uncertain economic background facing the country and highlighted that the cost of the 4% element of the claim would be around £500m. For more details read the full UCEA press release UCEA urges unions to consider the affordability of their pay claim in a context of financial challenge.
May
5. Third meeting of New JNCHES.
- The employers invited the trade unions to consider how an improved 0.4% non consolidated offer might be distributed. UCEA made the improved offer on a ‘without prejudice’ basis and requested that the unions took time to seriously consider the 0.4% rise against a background of increased economic and funding uncertainties.
- In relation to training and development, the employers said they were keen to explore issues of mutual interest and undertook to review the Trade Unions’ new paper further with officers and report back to next meeting.
- On job security, the employers re-iterated the view that the Acas Digest on Job Security, only recently distributed, should be given time to assess its usefulness. The employers also explained that the New JNCHES Sustainability Issues working group has been set up to consider a range of matters including providing a forum for the discussion of workforce and organisational change issues. The next meeting of the Sustainability Issues working group will take place on the 28 May prior to the New JNCHES negotiation meeting and it was suggested that a broader dialogue on job security concerns take place in this setting.
- The employers re-iterated the position on aspects of the claim relating to Framework issues and the Gender Pay Gap, explaining that these matters were all the subject of work that was being taken forward currently under the New JNCHES working groups.
At the meeting an additional fourth meeting was a arranged for Friday 28 May 2010
28. Fourth meeting of New JNCHES
- The UCEA team discussed further the various aspects of the Trade Unions’ claim, explaining the employers’ position and the difficult economic context, which has been further worsened by the announcement of the week’s additional cuts of £200 million to the HE sector in England. UCEA noted the letter to English HoIs of 26 May from Vince Cable, Secretary of State and David Willetts, Minister of State, which called for ‘restraint on all aspects of pay and bonuses’ and ‘recruitment freezes’.
- Against this background, the employers confirmed that the 0.4% offer could be consolidated as the final position and is the maximum that can be afforded. It has been offered on a strictly ‘without prejudice’ basis at this time. The unions were asked to seriously consider this 0.4% consolidated offer against this current background of increasing economic and funding uncertainties. It was noted that a significant number of staff would be set to receive incremental rises of an average of 2.9%.
- Employers also offered to develop a new Training and Development and Apprenticeship initiative, working jointly with the unions. This was recognised as a very important issue to both staff and employers.
- On job security, the unions emphasised their concerns and their desire to see jointly agreed proposals to improve job security across the sector. They submitted a new trade union paper Job security agreement principles. UCEA acknowledged the trade union’s concerns and noted that constructive dialogue on strategic developments, including workforce planning and organisational change had taken place in the Sustainability Working Group meeting in the morning. However, UCEA emphasised that decision taken about staffing are taken by HEIs.
- The employers re-iterated the position on aspects of the claim relating to Framework issues and the Gender Pay Gap, explaining that these matters were all the subject of work that was being taken forward currently under the New JNCHES working groups.
- The following press release was issued - Employers offer 0.4% as the maximum affordable increase in the current climate alongside new Training and Development initiatives
June
2. UCEA received letters from UCU and EIS both invoking the New JNCHES dispute resolution procedure. UCU does so over the “…employers’ refusal to enter into meaningful discussions to reach agreement…” on redundancy avoidance. UCEA writes to both UCU and EIS expressing disappointment and offering to set up meetings for discussions.
EISs letter to UCEA 31 May 2010
UCUs letter to UCEA 2 June 2010
UCEA wrote back to UCU and EIS (see below)
Follow this link for the full details of the New JNCHES Dispute Resolution Procedure
22 – First of two ‘Dispute Resolution meetings’
With UCEA having received written confirmation from both EIS and UCU that they wished to register a dispute over failure to comply with their current claims, employers responded immediately (see above) to acknowledge and begin the New JNCHES dispute resolution procedure. This procedure requires a minimum of two meetings to be held within 21 days of this notification unless otherwise agreed. The first of these meetings took place on 22 June. Observers from Unite and GMB were also present at this meeting. The meeting concluded with employers proposing to undertake a consultation with UCEA members on the issue of job security so there is up-to-date clarity on this matter.
July
9 – the date for the second of two ‘Dispute Resolution meetings’. An additional New JNCHES meeting has been agreed to and is expected to place this summer.
27 – third dispute resolution procedure meeting. Acas assistance may be the next step but this has to be agreed by all parties.
28 - The final New JNCHES meeting. Employers confirm that the 0.4% consolidated pay offer is the maximum increase that could be offered. However, this offer will be subject to review in late October should there be no settlement. The employers also offered to develop a new Training and Development initiative and work jointly with the unions on a range of other issues in the recently established working groups. All of the unions, bar UCU, are now consulting with their executive bodies and are expected to report back in the coming weeks. UCU rejected all aspects of the offer.
UCEA relays consultation feedback from HEIs, confirming that:
• UCEA has no mandate from its member institutions to engage in negotiations on national job security provisions.
• Handling workforce change is a matter for individual institutions – the vast majority already have procedures in place, which are developed and applied in consultation with the recognised trade unions.
• There is scope for joint initiatives at national level that support and facilitate the process of workforce change within institutions, but not in the form of collectively agreed provisions.
For full details of the 2009/10 pay negotiations and earlier key dates in the establishment of New JNCHES see the Timeline 2006 to 2009