On the go: The University and College Union has published a list of demands of Universities UK, the group representing 340 Universities Superannuation Scheme employers, which it says must be met if strike action this winter is to be avoided.
The union’s higher education committee will meet on Friday to decide on next steps after a ballot found 76 per cent of voting members and 37 of 68 institutions backed strike action. The ballot had a 53 per cent turnout.
UCU has criticised UUK’s attempt to push through proposals to resolve the long-running 2020 valuation dispute that will allegedly see cuts to member benefits of as much as 35 per cent, though UUK disputes this figure arguing that it does not account for defined contribution elements of the scheme.
In a letter, the union has called on UUK to consult with employers on withdrawing their “unagreed detrimental changes to members’ pensions”, to ask whether they would be prepared to pay higher contributions for a fixed period of time to allow for a negotiated settlement, and to publicly call for a new, 2021 scheme valuation.
The desirability of a new consultation is disputed. Though critics of the 2020 valuation process have argued that it occurred during the worst period of the Covid-19 crisis and has not accounted for the subsequent recovery in assets, UUK argued earlier this week that a 2021 valuation would not see enough of an improvement to make a meaningful difference.
The UCU intends to re-ballot 21 of the universities that “just missed” the 50 per cent threshold in the hopes of increasing the number of institutions able to take part in the planned strike.
UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “I have written to employer representatives in an attempt to try to resolve disputes with university bosses over pensions and pay and working conditions before the union is forced to declare strike action. UCU members would prefer not to have to take industrial action and now employers have [a] chance to prevent it.
“We have made clear our demands for an improved pay offer and meaningful agreements to tackle casualisation, workload and equality failings, and we are urging employers to cancel cuts of 35 per cent to guaranteed pensions, re-enter negotiations, and join us in calling for a new valuation.”
She continued: “Unfortunately, while UCU sets out pragmatic solutions that could halt widespread disruption in UK campuses — which could otherwise take place before Christmas and into the new year — university vice-chancellors are intent on provoking hardworking staff.”
UCU members reacted angrily when Alistair Fitt, vice-chancellor of Oxford Brookes University, appeared to compare staff going on strike with those working from home during Covid-19.
“Comparing the incredible work staff did to support students during lockdown with taking industrial action is exactly the attitude that has pushed staff to this point,” Grady said.
