18 January 2022
UCEA’s statement on UCU’s re-ballot results
Raj Jethwa, Chief Executive of UCEA, said:
“There was surprise and disappointment at UCU’s decision to re-ballot hand-picked HE institutions over last year’s pay outcome. Just over a quarter (9 of 38) of the branches reached the legal 50% turnout threshold required for industrial action over pay. While the results will be disappointing for UCU’s campaign leaders there will be further widespread dismay at all at those HE institutions where strike action will now be considered. It is now nearly six months (August 2021) since employees covered by the national pay negotiations saw pay increases of at least 1.5%. The great majority of HE staff understand the financial realities for their institutions and have moved on from last year’s balanced outcome. We trust that the UCU will now engage constructively in this year’s (2022-23) multi-employer negotiating round which is planned to begin at the end of March.”
Note: 63 HE institutions will now be considered for further industrial action by UCU’s HEC. There are 146 HEIs in the 2021-22 JNCHES pay round. These 9 HE institutions will now be added to the initial 54 HE institutions.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk).
UCEA’s statement on UCU’s re-ballot results
Raj Jethwa, Chief Executive of UCEA, said:
“There was surprise and disappointment at UCU’s decision to re-ballot hand-picked HE institutions over last year’s pay outcome. Just over a quarter (9 of 38) of the branches reached the legal 50% turnout threshold required for industrial action over pay. While the results will be disappointing for UCU’s campaign leaders there will be further widespread dismay at all at those HE institutions where strike action will now be considered. It is now nearly six months (August 2021) since employees covered by the national pay negotiations saw pay increases of at least 1.5%. The great majority of HE staff understand the financial realities for their institutions and have moved on from last year’s balanced outcome. We trust that the UCU will now engage constructively in this year’s (2022-23) multi-employer negotiating round which is planned to begin at the end of March.”
Note: 63 HE institutions will now be considered for further industrial action by UCU’s HEC. There are 146 HEIs in the 2021-22 JNCHES pay round. These 9 HE institutions will now be added to the initial 54 HE institutions.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk).
