24 November 2022
Initial feedback from HE institutions suggests low and isolated impact on students
Initial feedback from some of the HE institutions being targeted by UCU’s industrial action* - relating to the 2022-23 pay uplift and essential changes to USS pensions - is of low and isolated levels of disruption to students’ studies. While these early reports are positive, confirming that HE institutions’ preparations to protect students are working, it does take time for large institutions to find out exactly how many scheduled classes have not taken place on a given day.
There is widespread disappointment across the sector at UCU’s attempts to disrupt HE institutions by targeting students and, in response to UCU's first day of strike action, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“Despite the initial feedback from HE institutions suggesting low and isolated impact on students, it is saddening if even a single student misses out on a lecture because of industrial action, especially when UCEA is consulting on an early start to the 2023-24 pay negotiations to address cost-of-living concerns. Strike action will do nothing to support students, staff or the many HE institutions working hard to avoid redundancies or maintain staffing levels. Our member institutions delivered the August pay uplift despite unprecedented financial challenges.
“Although likely to be limited with such a small percentage of staff voting in favour, HE institutions are fully prepared to address the impact of this industrial action. Institutions are proving that they have effective mitigations in place to minimise any interruption of learning or services to students and staff. HE institutions are particularly disappointed that UCU is encouraging its members to target students who have endured so many recent disruptions.
“While these early reports are of low levels of disruption to teaching it does, of course, take time for these large institutions to find out exactly how many scheduled classes have not taken place on a given day, not least as UCU is actively encouraging staff not to declare they intend to take action.
“We respect employees’ right to take lawful industrial action, but it is misleading to their members for UCU to ask them to lose pay in pursuit of an unrealistic 13.6% (RPI +2%) pay demand which would cost institutions in the region of £1.5 Billion. UCU leaders must provide its members with a realistic and fair assessment of what is achievable because strike action does not create new sector money.
“UCU’s own research confirms that, in many parts of the country, HE institutions are important local employers. Those communities simply cannot afford to lose jobs that an unaffordable pay uplift would risk**. The biggest concern remains for employees on lower incomes, who are disproportionately impacted by inflation and cost of living pressures. That is why last year’s pay award*** included an uplift of up to 9% for those on the lowest points of the pay spine.”
* And UNISON in HE 19 institutions – www.unison.org.uk/news/2022/11/thousands-of-university-workers-strike-again-over-wages/
UCEA’s Union disputes page host further information: www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/union-disputes-2022-23/
** www.ucu.org.uk/article/10922/New-study-demonstrates-huge-local-economic-impact-of-universities
*** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2022-23-new-jnches-pay-round/
ENDS
Notes
For information relating to essential USS changes please go to USS Employers website at www.ussemployers.org.uk
Please contact the UUK media team for enquiries relating to USS at www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/creating-voice-our-members/media-team
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk)
Initial feedback from HE institutions suggests low and isolated impact on students
Initial feedback from some of the HE institutions being targeted by UCU’s industrial action* - relating to the 2022-23 pay uplift and essential changes to USS pensions - is of low and isolated levels of disruption to students’ studies. While these early reports are positive, confirming that HE institutions’ preparations to protect students are working, it does take time for large institutions to find out exactly how many scheduled classes have not taken place on a given day.
There is widespread disappointment across the sector at UCU’s attempts to disrupt HE institutions by targeting students and, in response to UCU's first day of strike action, Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:
“Despite the initial feedback from HE institutions suggesting low and isolated impact on students, it is saddening if even a single student misses out on a lecture because of industrial action, especially when UCEA is consulting on an early start to the 2023-24 pay negotiations to address cost-of-living concerns. Strike action will do nothing to support students, staff or the many HE institutions working hard to avoid redundancies or maintain staffing levels. Our member institutions delivered the August pay uplift despite unprecedented financial challenges.
“Although likely to be limited with such a small percentage of staff voting in favour, HE institutions are fully prepared to address the impact of this industrial action. Institutions are proving that they have effective mitigations in place to minimise any interruption of learning or services to students and staff. HE institutions are particularly disappointed that UCU is encouraging its members to target students who have endured so many recent disruptions.
“While these early reports are of low levels of disruption to teaching it does, of course, take time for these large institutions to find out exactly how many scheduled classes have not taken place on a given day, not least as UCU is actively encouraging staff not to declare they intend to take action.
“We respect employees’ right to take lawful industrial action, but it is misleading to their members for UCU to ask them to lose pay in pursuit of an unrealistic 13.6% (RPI +2%) pay demand which would cost institutions in the region of £1.5 Billion. UCU leaders must provide its members with a realistic and fair assessment of what is achievable because strike action does not create new sector money.
“UCU’s own research confirms that, in many parts of the country, HE institutions are important local employers. Those communities simply cannot afford to lose jobs that an unaffordable pay uplift would risk**. The biggest concern remains for employees on lower incomes, who are disproportionately impacted by inflation and cost of living pressures. That is why last year’s pay award*** included an uplift of up to 9% for those on the lowest points of the pay spine.”
* And UNISON in HE 19 institutions – www.unison.org.uk/news/2022/11/thousands-of-university-workers-strike-again-over-wages/
UCEA’s Union disputes page host further information: www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/union-disputes-2022-23/
** www.ucu.org.uk/article/10922/New-study-demonstrates-huge-local-economic-impact-of-universities
*** www.ucea.ac.uk/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2022-23-new-jnches-pay-round/
ENDS
Notes
For information relating to essential USS changes please go to USS Employers website at www.ussemployers.org.uk
Please contact the UUK media team for enquiries relating to USS at www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/what-we-do/creating-voice-our-members/media-team
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@ucea.ac.uk) or Marc Whittaker, Communications and Events Manager (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk)
