UCU votes to accept formation of joint expert panel and suspend planned strikes
UCU has voted in support of the latest joint proposal by UUK and UCU to form a joint expert panel to consider the USS valuation. UCU has announced its planned strikes from 16 April are suspended.
This is good news for students, who can now return from the Easter break confident that their studies and exams will continue as timetabled. Students are being updated this afternoon.
Pausing benefit reform discussions to consider further expert opinion of the valuation is a positive development, intended to build trust and confidence across the sector.
UUK and UCU will establish a joint expert panel to consider the valuation of the USS. This panel will review the basis of the scheme valuation, and the assumptions and tests underpinning it. It will include actuarial and academic experts, with a jointly agreed independent chair.
We will continue to share information as the situation develops via For Staff: USS Pension Reform.