17 April 2023
UCEA response to UCU's latest ballot outcome
In response to UCU's latest ballot outcome for IA, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“The outcome of UCU’s latest consultative ballot* is disappointing but not surprising, given UCU’s recommendation to reject the proposals. Nonetheless, there is much for the UCU to now consider, given the split in the membership. The fact that under a third of UCU’s membership voted to reject suggests that many understand the financial pressures facing the sector, as well as the positive progress made in the pay dispute.
“Although two-thirds of academics are not actually members of UCU or any union, any threat to hurt students by not assessing their work through the marking and assessment boycott is taken extremely seriously. Despite consistent feedback from HE institutions confirming low and isolated industrial action impacts, HE institutions will again prioritise mitigations to support students.
“UCEA remains fully committed to working with the trade unions on the implementation of the Acas-facilitated terms of reference** to positively reset industrial relations in our sector. This opportunity to address important issues, building on the extensive good practice which already exists in the sector, remains in place on the understanding that no further industrial action is called during these talks.
“Recognising the current cost of living pressures facing staff, UCEA, representing 144 participating employers, agreed with UCU and the other four trade unions to bring forward the 2023-24 pay talks. This resulted in a final pay award of between 8% and 5% from August 2023 with almost half of this paid from February***, some six months in advance of the usual pay uplift date. Despite the financial pressures facing the sector, this pay award is comparable to settlements in the wider economy.”
“Most HE institutions continue to face considerable financial uncertainty, with many posting deficits. Home student tuition fees have been frozen until at least 2025 and many HE institutions are also looking at substantial increases in employer contributions in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.”
* UCU declares 'historic victory' as members vote to move forward with university pension proposals - www.ucu.org.uk/article/12876/UCU-declares-historic-victory-as-members-vote-to-move-forward-with-university-pension-proposals
** See - Statement from the UCEA Board on the 2023-24 pay uplift and the Acas terms of reference - www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/23march23statement-from-ucea-board/
** See - The early uplift of the 2023-24 pay award - www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/24feb23/
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 response to UCU's latest ballot outcome
In response to UCU's latest ballot outcome for IA, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“The outcome of UCU’s latest consultative ballot* is disappointing but not surprising, given UCU’s recommendation to reject the proposals. Nonetheless, there is much for the UCU to now consider, given the split in the membership. The fact that under a third of UCU’s membership voted to reject suggests that many understand the financial pressures facing the sector, as well as the positive progress made in the pay dispute.
“Although two-thirds of academics are not actually members of UCU or any union, any threat to hurt students by not assessing their work through the marking and assessment boycott is taken extremely seriously. Despite consistent feedback from HE institutions confirming low and isolated industrial action impacts, HE institutions will again prioritise mitigations to support students.
“UCEA remains fully committed to working with the trade unions on the implementation of the Acas-facilitated terms of reference** to positively reset industrial relations in our sector. This opportunity to address important issues, building on the extensive good practice which already exists in the sector, remains in place on the understanding that no further industrial action is called during these talks.
“Recognising the current cost of living pressures facing staff, UCEA, representing 144 participating employers, agreed with UCU and the other four trade unions to bring forward the 2023-24 pay talks. This resulted in a final pay award of between 8% and 5% from August 2023 with almost half of this paid from February***, some six months in advance of the usual pay uplift date. Despite the financial pressures facing the sector, this pay award is comparable to settlements in the wider economy.”
“Most HE institutions continue to face considerable financial uncertainty, with many posting deficits. Home student tuition fees have been frozen until at least 2025 and many HE institutions are also looking at substantial increases in employer contributions in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.”
* UCU declares 'historic victory' as members vote to move forward with university pension proposals - www.ucu.org.uk/article/12876/UCU-declares-historic-victory-as-members-vote-to-move-forward-with-university-pension-proposals
** See - Statement from the UCEA Board on the 2023-24 pay uplift and the Acas terms of reference - www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/23march23statement-from-ucea-board/
** See - The early uplift of the 2023-24 pay award - www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/24feb23/
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)
