Union disputes
In response to UCU's announcement of industrial action starting in December 2021, we created a webpage Union disputes 2021-22.
Final Offer and Implementation
At the third and final meeting UCEA's offer guaranteed increases of at least 1.5% to the pay spine. Higher percentage uplifts will be made to the pay points below Spine Point 22, up to a maximum of 3.6%: HE employers make fair and sustainable final pay offer
Nearly three months later (on 4 August) and following a conclusion to the Dispute Resolution meetings, UCEA advised participating employers that it regards the pay negotiations as concluded and to implement the pay uplifts with effect from 1 August 2021. The Dispute Resolution meetings provided no indication that a settlement was achievable.
Prior to this outcome UCEA wrote to the trade unions on 11 May to set out the full details of the offer. The letter is below:
UCEA Final offer letter - 11 May 2021
The position was confirmed in a further letter on 26 July, following the conclusion of the New JNCHES Dispute Resolution meetings:
UCEA Dispute process conclusion letter - 26 July 2021
Following the final offer, the five HE trade unions undertook their respective processes to consider their responses. UCU, UNISON and Unite invoked the New JNCHES dispute resolution process, and dispute resolution meetings were held on 14 and 23 July with all five unions (EIS and GMB as observers).
Employers' Statement
UCEA set out the context and challenges in the Employers' Statement which has been presented at the start of the negotiations at the end of March 2021.
Employers' statement JNCHES 2021-22
Joint trade unions' claim
This was sent to UCEA at the end of March 2021
Trade Unions' JNCHES claim 2021-22
List of participating HEIs 2021-22
The list of participating HEIs was shared with the unions at the first negotiating meeting on 31 March.
List of participating HEIs 2021-22
Meeting dates
The negotiating meetings for the 2021-22 round were:
Wednesday 31 March
Wednesday 14 April
Thursday 6 May
