UCEA statement
Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
"In July UCEA informed trade unions that, given the pressures facing the sector, we were not in a position to offer an uplift in pay for 2020-21. Despite the recent announcements of initial student numbers, that position remains unchanged. It is too early to assess the impact of those initial numbers alongside the unprecedented financial challenges faced by all of our members. What is clear is that the late changes to the handling of school exam results mean that student numbers remain uncertain, while higher education institutions continue to deal with the longer term financial effects of Covid-19, Brexit and significant increases in employers’ pension contributions.
"The scale of the financial challenges posed by the pandemic has been recognised by our trade unions. Nonetheless, UCEA has agreed to a New JNCHES autumn meeting to review the financial position of the sector and, if circumstances allow, we are willing to begin negotiations for the 2021-22 pay round earlier in the calendar year."
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).
Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
"In July UCEA informed trade unions that, given the pressures facing the sector, we were not in a position to offer an uplift in pay for 2020-21. Despite the recent announcements of initial student numbers, that position remains unchanged. It is too early to assess the impact of those initial numbers alongside the unprecedented financial challenges faced by all of our members. What is clear is that the late changes to the handling of school exam results mean that student numbers remain uncertain, while higher education institutions continue to deal with the longer term financial effects of Covid-19, Brexit and significant increases in employers’ pension contributions.
"The scale of the financial challenges posed by the pandemic has been recognised by our trade unions. Nonetheless, UCEA has agreed to a New JNCHES autumn meeting to review the financial position of the sector and, if circumstances allow, we are willing to begin negotiations for the 2021-22 pay round earlier in the calendar year."
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).
