6 September 2023
UCEA welcomes the vote by UCU members to end the MAB
In response to UCU’s announcement to end the marking and assessment boycott Raj Jethwa, UCEA Chief Executive said:
“UCEA welcomes the vote by UCU members to end the marking and assessment boycott. The result, with 60%* voting to stop the boycott, suggests that UCU members no longer wish to support the HEC’s tactic of inflicting harm on students. There is now an urgency for UCU members who had participated in the boycott to prioritise marking for those remaining students who have still not received the necessary results to graduate in 2023-24.
“It is, therefore, disappointing that, at the same time as ending the boycott, UCU is attempting to inflict maximum damage before its mandate expires, by calling strike action for late September.
“UCU is intentionally seeking to target the important welcome weeks which many institutions provide during this vital time for new students. It is disappointing that UCU seeks to disrupt welcome weeks instead of providing support for new students.”
“UCU must now seriously reconsider this response from their members as their HEC tries to launch another ballot for IA for the new academic year.
“Nevertheless, UCEA welcomes UCU’s acceptance of our proposals for independently-facilitated talks** on a review of sector finances and further talks on the important pay-related matters raised by the UCU and the other unions.”
* www.ucu.org.uk/article/13168/UCU-Rising-important-update-on-the-MAB-and-strike-action
** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2023-24-new-jnches-pay-round/
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 welcomes the vote by UCU members to end the MAB
In response to UCU’s announcement to end the marking and assessment boycott Raj Jethwa, UCEA Chief Executive said:
“UCEA welcomes the vote by UCU members to end the marking and assessment boycott. The result, with 60%* voting to stop the boycott, suggests that UCU members no longer wish to support the HEC’s tactic of inflicting harm on students. There is now an urgency for UCU members who had participated in the boycott to prioritise marking for those remaining students who have still not received the necessary results to graduate in 2023-24.
“It is, therefore, disappointing that, at the same time as ending the boycott, UCU is attempting to inflict maximum damage before its mandate expires, by calling strike action for late September.
“UCU is intentionally seeking to target the important welcome weeks which many institutions provide during this vital time for new students. It is disappointing that UCU seeks to disrupt welcome weeks instead of providing support for new students.”
“UCU must now seriously reconsider this response from their members as their HEC tries to launch another ballot for IA for the new academic year.
“Nevertheless, UCEA welcomes UCU’s acceptance of our proposals for independently-facilitated talks** on a review of sector finances and further talks on the important pay-related matters raised by the UCU and the other unions.”
* www.ucu.org.uk/article/13168/UCU-Rising-important-update-on-the-MAB-and-strike-action
** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2023-24-new-jnches-pay-round/
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)
