The University and College Union has confirmed its members will participate in another round of industrial action in February in response to the ongoing dispute with employers over the Universities Superannuation Scheme.
Pensions Expert reported on January 26 on a new set of proposals from the union, which it said would forego the threat of strikes if employers were to agree to them.
They were designed as an alternative to an agreement struck between the USS trustee and Universities UK, the group representing 340 USS employers, that was designed to lessen the impact of the scheme’s controversial 2020 consultation and stave off “ruinous” contribution rate increases.
The UCU has repeatedly insisted that the agreement amounted to a benefit cut to the average USS member of 35 per cent, though UUK has always disputed this figure.
For a sector that is worth tens of billions of pounds and enjoys record levels of student growth, it is beyond disgraceful that in return staff get vicious pension cuts, falling pay, and are pushed to breaking point under deteriorating working conditions
Jo Grady, UCU
The union’s alternative called on UUK to pressure the USS trustee into issuing a “moderately prudent, evidence-based” valuation of the health of the scheme as of March 31 2022, to be issued for consultation in June.
It further asked employers to provide “the same level of covenant support as for their own proposals” to facilitate “a cost-sharing of current benefits throughout the 2022-23 scheme year”.
This would translate as 11 per cent member contributions and 23.7 per cent employer contributions from April to October this year, rising thereafter to 11.8 per cent for members and 25.2 per cent for employers.
The union also demanded that employers agree to pay a maximum of 25.2 per cent and members a maximum of 9.8 per cent from April 1 2023, “so as to secure current benefits or, if not possible, the best achievable as a result of the call on the USS to issue a moderately prudent, evidence-based valuation”.
UUK promised to share the proposal with employers, but again disputed the figures presented by the UCU and said the plan did not appear “to be a serious attempt to reach agreement”.
More disruption ahead
UCU members at several institutions backed industrial action in November, and further institutions voted to join the strike after re-balloting.
Now, the union has confirmed that 68 USS institutions will face disruption next month in what it called a “fight for the future of higher education”, claiming that “over 1m students” will be affected.
Forty-four institutions will see strike action over the USS specifically from February 14 to 18, while all 68 institutions will see strikes on February 21 and 22 over the USS, as well as pay and conditions.
Further strike action over pay and conditions will see 63 institutions hit between February 28 and March 2.
The union threatened further action after these dates if its demands are not met.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “It is a damning indictment of the way our universities are managed that staff are being left with no option but to walk out again. For a sector that is worth tens of billions of pounds and enjoys record levels of student growth, it is beyond disgraceful that in return staff get vicious pension cuts, falling pay, and are pushed to breaking point under deteriorating working conditions.
“Time is quickly running out for vice-chancellors to avert strike action, but it can be done. Staff need a proper pay rise, action to tackle insecure contracts, unsafe workloads and pay inequality, and for devastating pension cuts to be revoked. Any disruption that occurs will be the clearest indication yet that university bosses don’t value their staff.
“This wave of strike action is a fight for the future of higher education and staff are proud to stand alongside students in the fight for an education system that treats students and staff with respect.”
Strikes ‘not having the desired effect’
Responding to the announcement, a UUK spokesperson said: “Evidence from employers shows that the UCU’s industrial action is not having the desired effect, with diminishing levels of disruption reported in every walkout since 2018. In December, only a third of UCU members at institutions eligible for industrial action chose to go on strike — accounting for just 9 per cent of staff.
Union slammed as ‘at odds with reality’ as USS strike action begins
Employers have once again hit out at the University and College Union over strike action set to commence on Wednesday.
“Students will struggle to understand why they should bear the brunt of the UCU’s refusal to confront the financial challenges facing all pension schemes.”
They continued: “Instead of pursuing strike action and attempting to disrupt students’ education, the union should focus on working with employers to find a viable and affordable solution to the 2020 valuation which avoids the unaffordably high costs members and employers are facing from April.
“Universities will minimise the impact of any further industrial action on students by ensuring they can continue to learn and receive support.”
