17 March 2023
UCEA 'deeply disappointed' at UCU's HEC decision
Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
“Every indication is that UCU members are tired of strike action. That is why students and staff across the UK’s higher education sector will be deeply disappointed that UCU’s Higher Education Committee has decided to proceed with next week’s attempted strike action.
“The agreement* reached earlier this week reflected the employers’ genuine desire to positively reset industrial relations in our sector. There is a tangible offer on the table from employers to negotiate on the issues at the heart of this dispute. It is disappointing that the HEC has refused to put this to members.
“The HEC decisions, therefore, are even more disappointing because employers have been clear that these important talks cannot begin while strike action continues or strike dates are set. We urge UCU to think again.”
* www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/17march23/
Notes
Tuesday 14 March: Following weeks of Acas-facilitated talks, UCU New JNCHES negotiators (alongside fellow trade unions and UCEA) negotiations conclude with a positive outcome, agreeing terms of reference for the important non-pay items phase of negotiations for 2023-24 www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/15march23/
Wednesday 15 March: UCU General Secretary endorses this outcome, explaining that UCU 'achieved so much by adopting a different approach to this dispute, and we now believe it is the time to bank and build'. Then to 'make sure that every member has the opportunity to have their voice heard' an e-ballot is launched on 'whether these proposals should be put to members in a formal vote'. https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12834/UCU-Rising-progress-in-our-disputes---have-your-say
Friday 17 March (am): UCEA Board endorses ToR for key non-pay items in the 2023-24 pay round, confirming employers' full commitment to working with the HE trade unions on the implementation of the terms of reference to positively reset industrial relations. https://www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/17march23/
Friday 17 March (pm): The UCU eballot for all members closes, with more than 36,000 of UCU's 70,000 HE members participating. Members vote in favour of putting these proposals to members in a formal vote and not partaking in IA from Monday. UCU claims that 'more than 2 in 1 said they want to be consulted on the proposals'. https://twitter.com/ucu
Friday 17 March (pm): UCU's HEC meets and votes against UCU's members, pushing them back to IA from Monday.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk)
UCEA 'deeply disappointed' at UCU's HEC decision
Raj Jethwa, UCEA's Chief Executive said:
“Every indication is that UCU members are tired of strike action. That is why students and staff across the UK’s higher education sector will be deeply disappointed that UCU’s Higher Education Committee has decided to proceed with next week’s attempted strike action.
“The agreement* reached earlier this week reflected the employers’ genuine desire to positively reset industrial relations in our sector. There is a tangible offer on the table from employers to negotiate on the issues at the heart of this dispute. It is disappointing that the HEC has refused to put this to members.
“The HEC decisions, therefore, are even more disappointing because employers have been clear that these important talks cannot begin while strike action continues or strike dates are set. We urge UCU to think again.”
* www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/17march23/
Notes
Tuesday 14 March: Following weeks of Acas-facilitated talks, UCU New JNCHES negotiators (alongside fellow trade unions and UCEA) negotiations conclude with a positive outcome, agreeing terms of reference for the important non-pay items phase of negotiations for 2023-24 www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/15march23/
Wednesday 15 March: UCU General Secretary endorses this outcome, explaining that UCU 'achieved so much by adopting a different approach to this dispute, and we now believe it is the time to bank and build'. Then to 'make sure that every member has the opportunity to have their voice heard' an e-ballot is launched on 'whether these proposals should be put to members in a formal vote'. https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/12834/UCU-Rising-progress-in-our-disputes---have-your-say
Friday 17 March (am): UCEA Board endorses ToR for key non-pay items in the 2023-24 pay round, confirming employers' full commitment to working with the HE trade unions on the implementation of the terms of reference to positively reset industrial relations. https://www.ucea.ac.uk/news-releases/17march23/
Friday 17 March (pm): The UCU eballot for all members closes, with more than 36,000 of UCU's 70,000 HE members participating. Members vote in favour of putting these proposals to members in a formal vote and not partaking in IA from Monday. UCU claims that 'more than 2 in 1 said they want to be consulted on the proposals'. https://twitter.com/ucu
Friday 17 March (pm): UCU's HEC meets and votes against UCU's members, pushing them back to IA from Monday.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk)
