Update on the pay dispute
Talks were held on 15 April between the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the trade unions about the 2014 pay settlement.
UCEA made a ‘full and final’ pay offer of 2 per cent – which it noted exceeds the current consumer price index (CPI) and the two other official cost-of-living indicators; which it described as at the ‘absolute limits of affordability’; and which it indicated ‘only stays on the table if the current and planned industrial action is called off’. See the full UCEA statement.
We understand that the trades unions are now considering the offer and will be consulting with their members.
The University and College Union (UCU) had previously announced that it would commence a boycott of marking if the pay dispute was not resolved by 28 April. The UCU has now announced that it will put the offer to members in a consultative ballot. The ballot will conclude on Thursday 1 May and UCU’s higher education committee will consider the results on Friday 2 May. In the meantime, the UCU has agreed to postpone the start of the planned marking boycott until Tuesday 6 May. See the UCU statement.
UNISON’s higher education service group executive will meet on 23 April to discuss the consultation with members on the UCEA offer and the current pay dispute. See the full UNISON statement.
To date, Unite has not commented publicly on the position reached at yesterday’s talks.