14 August 2023
UCEA comment on the outcome of UCU's HEC
Responding to news from UCU's HEC which took place today, Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
“UCU's HEC has made an extremely disappointing decision that, once again, forces UCU members to target students. While UCEA respects the right of workers to take industrial action, the choice of the marking and assessment boycott, described by Jo Grady as a ‘tactic’*, is extremely concerning. As Minister Halfon points out, 'action that damages students' prospects is the wrong thing to do'. UCU must be honest with its members about the fact that there is no possibility of a further pay uplift in the 2023-24 pay round and that these aspects of the talks are complete.
“However, UCEA awaits a formal response from UCU and all the unions to our proposal last week** for an independent review of sector finances, followed by further talks on the important pay related matters raised by the UCU and the unions. Both of these would be facilitated by Acas. This includes reform of the pay spine, action to further reduce pay gaps in higher education, discussions on workload, as well as more work on the use of contract types. This is a substantial package of joint work which employers and unions could usefully be progressing together.”
* www.ucu.org.uk/article/13142/Strike-action-MAB-consultation-and-reballot
** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2023-24-new-jnches-pay-round/ucea-letter-to-ucu-4-aug-23.pdf
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 comment on the outcome of UCU's HEC
Responding to news from UCU's HEC which took place today, Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
“UCU's HEC has made an extremely disappointing decision that, once again, forces UCU members to target students. While UCEA respects the right of workers to take industrial action, the choice of the marking and assessment boycott, described by Jo Grady as a ‘tactic’*, is extremely concerning. As Minister Halfon points out, 'action that damages students' prospects is the wrong thing to do'. UCU must be honest with its members about the fact that there is no possibility of a further pay uplift in the 2023-24 pay round and that these aspects of the talks are complete.
“However, UCEA awaits a formal response from UCU and all the unions to our proposal last week** for an independent review of sector finances, followed by further talks on the important pay related matters raised by the UCU and the unions. Both of these would be facilitated by Acas. This includes reform of the pay spine, action to further reduce pay gaps in higher education, discussions on workload, as well as more work on the use of contract types. This is a substantial package of joint work which employers and unions could usefully be progressing together.”
* www.ucu.org.uk/article/13142/Strike-action-MAB-consultation-and-reballot
** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2023-24-new-jnches-pay-round/ucea-letter-to-ucu-4-aug-23.pdf
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)
