22 August 2022
In response to UCU's announcement of another UCU ballot for industrial action, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“UCEA represents 145 independent HE institutions from across the four nations of the UK at the New JNCHES bargaining table. They have done their best to support jobs and staff in very difficult circumstances and against a backdrop of significant cost increases, with most experiencing falling income in real terms. UCU’s recent suggestions that a handful of institutions with surpluses can somehow cross-subsidise an increase in pay for staff at all institutions is not an option. Employers want to work with UCU and other unions to support staff and students, but yet more strike action over pay and pensions will simply hurt students and staff for no obvious outcome.
"UCEA is concerned for those on lower incomes, who are disproportionately impacted by inflation. That is why the 2022-23 New JNCHES pay award* included an uplift of up to 9% for those on the lowest points of the pay spine, and why UCEA worked with employers to implement the uplift at the earliest opportunity. It is unfair to students and staff that UCU members, representing a minority of the sector’s employees, were not given the chance to accept or refuse our offer.”
* www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2022-23-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)
In response to UCU's announcement of another UCU ballot for industrial action, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“UCEA represents 145 independent HE institutions from across the four nations of the UK at the New JNCHES bargaining table. They have done their best to support jobs and staff in very difficult circumstances and against a backdrop of significant cost increases, with most experiencing falling income in real terms. UCU’s recent suggestions that a handful of institutions with surpluses can somehow cross-subsidise an increase in pay for staff at all institutions is not an option. Employers want to work with UCU and other unions to support staff and students, but yet more strike action over pay and pensions will simply hurt students and staff for no obvious outcome.
"UCEA is concerned for those on lower incomes, who are disproportionately impacted by inflation. That is why the 2022-23 New JNCHES pay award* included an uplift of up to 9% for those on the lowest points of the pay spine, and why UCEA worked with employers to implement the uplift at the earliest opportunity. It is unfair to students and staff that UCU members, representing a minority of the sector’s employees, were not given the chance to accept or refuse our offer.”
* www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2022-23-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)
