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Website URL : http://www.ucu.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=3642
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HE national negotiations 2009
All the news from UCU head office on the national HE negotiations on pay and job losses.
ACAS commentary, January 2010 Negotiations reluctantly concluded by the unions
Whilst condemning the refusal of the employers to negotiate on arrangements for the avoidance of redundancies and the unacceptable offer of a 0.5% pay rise the UCU's Higher Education Committee have however noted that the 2009 national negotiating round has concluded. GMB, Unite and Unison have all now reluctantly accepted the employers' final offer and EIS have noted it. UCEA have now issued the final offer as the New JNCHES pay agreement 2009/2010 although they have recognised that UCU (and EIS) have not formally accepted the offer. UCEA are therefore advising their members to implement the 0.5% pay increase with effect from August 2009. They have also advised that they will be taking steps, with the trade unions, to set in place the three working groups referred to in the document. No further action is required by branches/LAs. See full information in UCUHE44: UCUHE44 (.html) | UCUHE44 (.rtf) Employers condemned over refusal to respond to redundancy avoidance arrangements At its meeting on 4 December 2009 UCU's Higher Education Committee was united in its condemnation of the employers' refusal, throughout the long negotiations over the 2009 pay claim, to respond positively to the trade unions' reasonable request for agreed arrangements for the avoidance of redundancies in higher education. HEC was similarly united in declaring the employers' final offer of a 0.5% pay rise for the year unacceptable, and was highly critical of the employers' failure to bargain in good faith in the course of the year's negotiations. In noting the unsatisfactory conclusion to the 2009 national negotiating round, and bearing in mind the expectation of rising inflation in coming months, HEC resolved that the deficit resulting from the employers' unwillingness to provide a pay increase of more that 0.5% will be treated as an IOU which UCU will press for in the 2010 pay claim. UCU will continue to link the political issues being raised in the Make Education Count campaign with its industrial demands. The HEC also agreed the following outline timetable to prepare and develop the 2010 pay claim and campaign: - the UCU national negotiators will meet on Friday 8 January to consider the key issues for UCU in the 2010 claim
- the five trade unions will meet on 12 January. It is hoped to agree the outline of a joint union claim and associated campaign materials (based on the 5 unions, 1 demand model)
- a UCU special sector conference will be called before 12 February to consider the draft claim and campaign for 2010
- the five trade unions will meet on 23 February, hopefully to agree the joint draft claim.
Further details of the arrangements for the February special sector conference will be sent in as soon as practicable.
UCEA attacked over lack of leadership 12 Nov 09: The higher education employers' association, UCEA, has come under fire in the Times Higher Education (THE) magazine. The group is accused of lacking leadership and the ability to secure a clear mandate from its member universities when it comes to national negotiations. The magazine reveals that seven UCEA member universities have already started paying the 0.5% pay offer, despite the disputes procedure clearly stating that the dispute must be fully exhausted before that happens. UCEA failed to respond to the charge that it did not have the necessary leadership required to keep its members in check. UCU national head of higher education, Michael MacNeil, takes new UCEA chair, Keith Burnett, to task for provocative comments about the unions he made in an interview with the THE magazine. MacNeil argues that Burnett would be better off taking a hard line with the universities he is failing to keep in check and sorting out the problems on the employers' side than attacking the unions in the press. He goes on to say that the unions will continue to negotiate in good faith, but that the employers need to stop trying to dictate what is up for debate and acting like a senior partner, which they certainly are not. Further reading: Next steps: new talks 5 November: The national negotiating teams from the trade union side met on 4 November to discuss their next steps. The meeting was followed by talks between the trade union side and the employers at ACAS, where a robust presentation of the trade union case was made once again. The employers made an initial response and the ACAS talks were adjourned until 24 November. Talks at ACAS? 16-21 October: UCEA wrote to the unions saying that they are not prepared to offer further negotiations on pay. However, they suggested a meeting at ACAS involving the new chair of UCEA: Arrangements were already in hand for the national negotiating teams of all the joint unions to meet on 4 November to discuss the trade union side's next steps. It looks likely that this meeting would be followed by talks between representatives of all unions and the employers at ACAS. The only obstacle would be if the employers attempt to place unreasonable restrictions on the scope and purpose of the meeting: Unions write to employers 15 October: Following extensive consultation with branches and local associations, the UCU Higher Education Committee (HEC) agreed to reject the employers' full and final offer and to seek agreement from other unions to continue pressing UCEA for a jointly agreed and national approach to tackle job security issues. It was agreed that we would work closely with other unions and the NUS, to develop a campaign on job security, linking workload issues, student staff ratios and the quality of HE. UCU has been playing a key role in the national trade union side and all unions have been pressing the UCEA board to seek a revised mandate from subscribing institutions. In a joint letter the UCEA board was asked to return to the negotiating table and to review their position to enable constructive dialogue about a jointly agreed and national approach to job security in the sector: UCU rejects final offer 12 October: UCU has rejected the employers' full and final offer. Michael MacNeil, UCU head of HE: 'Earlier this year we were out on our own, now there are three unions who have rejected the offer and we are looking forward to working with all our union colleagues to decide on the next best steps.' UCU holds branch consultations Sector conference agreed that there should be thorough consultation with branches on any future action. In line with that decision, meetings for branch/LAs were arranged for the end of September/beginning of October 2009. UCU's national head of higher education attended each of the meetings and will provide an update on the negations but, much more importantly, the meetings provide an opportunity for branches/LAs to provide valuable feedback on members' reaction to the employers' offer on pay and job security. HE unions condemn 'appalling' final offer on pay and jobs
The five higher education unions issued a joint statement on 16 July condemning the employers' final offer on pay and job security as 'appalling'. At a meeting of the new bargaining machinery known as 'new JNCHES' on Wednesday 15 July, UCEA, which negotiates for university employers, made a final offer of a 0.5% pay rise, which the unions noted, was significantly below the 1.5% offered to the FE unions. UCEA also persisted in claiming they have 'no mandate' to negotiate on a national agreement on job security, in spite of the jobs crisis consuming higher education. The unions have joined forces to launch a 'Defend Higher Education' campaign. The unions will also be discussing the final offer and their response in their own internal structures.
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 18 May 2009
To: HE members
Subject: Important ballot message from Sally Hunt Dear colleague,
Some of you will already have received this from your branch but I am writing directly to you as well to update you on developments in relation to our dispute, and to let you know that, for the time being, UCU's ballot has been postponed.
On Saturday 16 May your elected representatives at the Higher Education Committee received a report which noted a number of developments.
First, that UCEA, the national employers association, had asked for our dispute to be referred to ACAS. Without preconditions, your national negotiators have expressed a willingness to attend talks. I am clear that our negotiators should continue talking to try and avoid industrial action.
Second, that 78 employers have threatened to use anti-trade union legislation against the UCU if action is taken on the basis of the current ballot. I believe it is a great shame that your employers have threatened to use the UK's anti-trade union laws to try and thwart the right of UCU members to make a decision. UK legislation places an onerous duty on trade unions to provide information about UCU members to the employers prior to a ballot for industrial action. Unfortunately, this provides ample opportunity for the unscrupulous employer to exploit this unfairness in order to deny members the right to vote. I am quite clear that UCU will not retreat from this dispute (or from any other) under the threats and intimidation of the anti-trade union laws.
However, I am concerned that there may have been a software problem with our central membership records. Urgent action to solve the problem is being taken.
Because of this, I have agreed that we should postpone the ballot until the autumn term. If we are still in dispute, the ballot will then be run in the autumn at an appropriate time.
Your negotiators are reporting that our campaign around this year's national talks is gaining momentum. We are working well with sister unions and, together, we have all been arguing hard for a national job-protection agreement and have rejected the employers' derisory offer of 0.3%.
Further national-level talks are scheduled for this week. I hope that the employers put as much effort into seeking a negotiated solution to the unions' claims for a new national job-security agreement and for a fair approach on pay, as they have on seeking to undermine our internal processes. We will continue to work closely with our colleagues to pressure the employers to agree national principles to treat staff fairly; and to settle this year's pay award.
The union has been gratified to receive strong support from UCU members for our campaign to defend jobs and defend provision. This has found favour with our fellow unions and the National Union of Students too. The next few months will see the issue of jobs increase in importance as the one hundred institutions cited by UCEA gear up to shed staff.
UCU believes those staff deserve protection now, and we urge your employers to turn away from their current hard line strategy and to engage genuinely with UCU and its sister unions to protect jobs, defend education, and to make a credible offer on pay.
Regards
Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 28 April 2009
To: HE members
Subject: Defend jobs, defend education: talks update from Sally Hunt Dear colleague,
UCU and the other unions met the university employers' association, UCEA, yesterday, 27 April. The key points arising from the meeting are as follows: - employers make 0.3% pay offer but NO offer to protect jobs
- unions join forces to press UCEA for national job security agreement
- further talks on jobs agreed at last
- UCU tables proposals to break impasse.
A pay offer of 0.3% was made for 2009/10. Regrettably no credible response at all was made to UCU's call for a national agreement on the avoidance of redundancies. The employers' inadequate response was rejected by all the trade unions. Prior to the meeting, UCEA had asked thousands of staff currently at risk of losing their jobs to be 'patient' in response to UCU's call for joint employer-union action to protect jobs. Now UCEA claims it is unable to reach an agreement on limiting redundancies because this would be 'beyond its remit'. In response, UCU pointed to countless examples of national agreements and guidance agreed between UCEA and the unions over the years many of which have addressed the issue of job security.
UCU says: work together to protect jobs
In response we argued that: - partnership between unions and management to protect jobs and protect higher education across the sector is essential
- staff have a right to be treated properly wherever they work; and universities have a responsibility to thoroughly explore alternatives to redundancy wherever they are based
- job cuts on this scale nationwide will mean larger lecture and seminar sizes and less contact time for students as the workload of remaining staff increases.
Fresh talks agreed as unions work together
I am delighted to say that UCU received strong support yesterday from the other trade unions Unison, Unite, GMB and EIS for our position - with all the unions joining UCU to press UCEA for a national agreement on job security.
In response to this united front and to UCU's decision to ballot members for industrial action, UCEA have now TENTATIVELY agreed to further urgent talks at national level.
Yet fully one month since talks began they have still failed to make one single proposal to protect staff at risk of redundancy. Why? Perhaps because until yesterday they had underestimated the strength of feeling among staff and students about this issue.
UCU tables proposals to resolve impasse
In the continued absence of anything concrete from the employers, UCU last night tabled its own proposals for a national agreement on the avoidance of redundancy to our fellow unions. We hope it will be possible to submit a joint union position to the employers to protect jobs.
Yesterday UCEA were forced to recognise the support UCU has from its members, from the other unions and from students around the country on this issue. My hope is that the union will not have to ask you to take industrial action to protect jobs. For me asking members to withdraw their labour is always a last resort, but the stakes are high.
It is your support so far that forced the employers towards a recognition that the jobs crisis needs a credible national response.
Please continue to provide that strong support to your negotiators. It is vital that we win the forthcoming ballot in order to keep up the pressure. Ballot papers begin to be issued on 1 May.
With your help we can defend jobs, and defend higher education. Please make your vote count to protect jobs.
I will write again when I have further news.
Best wishes
Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 21 April 2009
To: HE members
Subject: National negotiations latest: new update from Sally Hunt Dear colleague,
On 30 March 2009 UCU and its fellow trade unions met the national higher education employers body UCEA to receive what all assumed would be an initial pay offer. Without prior warning the employers informed the unions that: - up to 100 HE institutions were now making plans for collective redundancies
- salary increases would need to be 'traded off' against job protection; and
- it was not possible to make a pay offer at this stage.
Thousands of jobs at risk
UCEA's statement regarding jobs means that some two-thirds of all UK universities and higher education institutions are seeking staffing reductions. Most of these one hundred institutions have not yet published their plans publicly. However the scale of the potential cuts is indicated by the fact that those few institutions who have announced plans already are seeking to remove thousands of posts cumulatively: - nursing and health profession education departments are reported to face staffing cuts nationwide of up to 400 jobs to reflect the proposed tightening of current student funding formulas
- London Metropolitan University is seeking to reduce staffing levels by some 550 FTE posts, representing around a quarter of the workforce
- Liverpool University has stated that eight departments out of its current forty five are at risk of closure
- Thames Valley is proposing to shut entirely one of its four campuses entirely.
Workloads up for those with jobs
Staffing reductions of this scale replicated across the country in one hundred institutions will of course have a profound personal impact on those individuals picked to go. They will also impact upon those who remain. Thirty years ago the student/staff ratio (SSR) was nine students for every member of academic staff. Today that figure has doubled to eighteen students for every staff member – higher than in USA, Japan, Germany and France and 15% higher than the OECD average.
'Ill thought out' job cuts are wrong strategy for HE
Large scale redundancies will worsen this trend still further, leaving more work for those who remain; impacting on the quality of teaching, research and administration that UCU members are able to provide and making the UK less attractive to potential students than our competitors.
UCU therefore believes that a programme of job cuts is precisely the wrong strategy for universities to adopt in a recession when demand for access to higher education increases. Even worse, is the ill thought out nature of the cuts programmes already initiated by many universities: - proposals are rushed out without prior effective consultation.
- institutions show little real commitment to avoid redundancies or consider alternative plans
- redundancies occur arising from strategic failures at institutional level rather than the direct effects of recession
- governing bodies reinforce rather than challenge poor decision-making.
UCU seeks urgent national agreement to protect jobs
Given the scale of these cuts and the ad hoc nature in which they have been implemented so far UCU is now seeking a national agreement on the avoidance of redundancies. This agreement would set out key principles to be followed by universities prior to making redundancies and would provide vital protection and job security for staff wherever they work. Given the employers' failure to provide even an initial offer at our first meeting in March and the growing crisis over jobs UCU sought a credible response to our proposal by 20 April.
Employers' response urges redundant staff to be 'patient'
The response we received from the chair of UCEA on 17 April offered nothing and expressed the hope that UCU members would be 'patient'. In UCU's view this prevarication is simply unacceptable when thousands of jobs are at risk in the sector. In the light of this inadequate response we are now in dispute with the employer until they make a credible proposal which is acceptable to UCU and its members. Failing acceptable progress a ballot for industrial action will begin on 1 May 2009.
I know that many of you share the view that cooperation between employers and the unions will be essential during the current economic difficulties. We must build a shared agenda to ensure that jobs are protected. UCU is committed to using every avenue open to it to reach agreement with the employers to protect your job wherever you work. But it takes a real commitment from both parties to negotiate a solution to difficult issues.
Defend jobs: support your union
Your support is essential at this important time. The employers need to know that UCU's negotiators enjoy the support of our members to secure a national agreement to protect jobs. Every vote counts and every vote in favour of action increases the union's bargaining strength at the bargaining table.
With best wishes
Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 16 April 2009
To: HE members
Subject: National negotiations latest: update from Sally Hunt Dear colleague,
NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS LATEST - NO PAY OFFER
- 100 INSTITUTIONS SEEKING JOB CUTS
UCU and its fellow trade unions met the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) on 30 March to receive what we thought would be an initial pay offer.
However at this meeting the employers informed the unions that: - it was not possible to make a pay offer
- up to 100 HE institutions were making plans for collective redundancies
- salary increases would need to be 'traded off' against job protection.
UCEA has indicated that up to 100 institutions, around two-thirds of participating institutions, are looking to lose people. They were keen to state that they wanted trade union negotiators to keep job security in mind.
Our own research indicates that the scale of job cuts is substantial. Every UCU member, whatever type of institution they work in, is potentially vulnerable as current proposals for cuts at institutions as varied as the universities of Liverpool, Reading, Hertfordshire, and London Metropolitan show.
In this situation of great uncertainty for staff across the UK, national negotiations are required to protect jobs. UCU has therefore asked UCEA to sit down with the unions now to reach a national agreement on the avoidance of redundancies by its member institutions.
Given the urgency of the situation we are seeking this commitment and a response to other matters relating to salaries and equality issues by 20 April. Failing this, I am mandated to consider balloting members for industrial action to secure an effective job protection agreement from the national employers.
I know that many of you share my view that cooperation between employers and the unions will be essential during the current economic difficulties. We must build a shared agenda to ensure staff rewards continue to be competitive and that jobs are protected. Now is the time for the employers to show they are serious about partnership by joining us to protect jobs.
I will write again when I have the employers' response to UCU's request. In the meantime thank you for taking the time to read this letter and for your support of the union.
Best wishes,
Sally Hunt
UCU General Secretary
New agenda for negotiations
News release 13 March 2009 After being locked in talks with the employers' representatives, the Universities and Colleges Employers' Association (UCEA), since January trying to iron out differences around how future negotiations could proceed, UCU has confirmed that it has suspended all plans to ballot members over industrial action on the issues that had threatened to provoke unrest in the higher education sector:
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 6 February 2009
To: HE members
Subject: Latest on the ACAS HE talks
Dear colleague,
This week's meetings timetable has been seriously disrupted due to the weather. Only one short meeting has been possible. Constructive dialogue and an exchange of ideas have taken place. Further meetings are timetabled for next week
UCU continue to believe a negotiated settlement through the ACAS facilitated talks to be the best prospect for stability in the sector and thank ACAS for their support.
In the absence of an agreement to date UCU will continue with preparations for a ballot to protect the interests of its members. The precise timetable is under discussion and will only be announced in the event that talks fail to produce a satisfactory outcome.
For more information on the background to these talks, please visit: www.ucu.org.uk/hepaystructures
Thank you again for reading this message.
Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Sent: 30 January 2009
To: HE members
Subject: Update from UCU: ACAS discussions continue
Dear colleague,
ACAS discussions continue
Facilitated discussions with UCEA took place in London yesterday, Thursday 29 January.
The following statement was agreed between the parties:
'Talks between UCEA and interested parties took place at ACAS today. Diaries are being cleared to urgently facilitate further meetings.'
UCU was due to initiate a ballot for industrial action today but as a sign of good faith the decision on whether to commence the ballot will be postponed until Friday, 6 February.
You have my assurance that UCU will continue to work for a negotiated resolution to our differences with the employers, if that is possible.
Thank you for supporting your union and for taking the time to read this message.
Sally Hunt
UCU general secretary
Subject: Positive talks with ACAS - Message from Sally Hunt
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 22 January 2009
To: HE members Dear colleague,
Positive talks with ACAS - UCU ready to talk today
Thank you for your responses to my last message about our current disagreement with UCEA, the HE employers association, and the intervention of arbitration service ACAS to try to facilitate a resolution (see here for more information).
I and colleagues have now met ACAS. The discussions were positive with UCU explaining our concerns about: - the lack of a national bargaining forum to discuss distinct academic and related staff issues
- the UCEA policy of allowing each employer annually to 'opt out' of paying you the negotiated pay increase
- the zero pay increase for 2009 suggested by UCEA and other sector bodies in the media and their refusal to even
- discuss this and our pay claim until the end of March; and
- the restriction on UCU's right to take industrial action at a time of our choosing.
Having thanked ACAS for helping to break the impasse, I also made it very clear to them that I believe this situation, though serious, is resolvable with good will on both sides.
I now look forward to meeting the employers' side face to face so I can at last say the same thing to them!
Every member I have spoken to understands that the issues under discussion are vitally important. The outcome of these negotiations will affect not just this year's pay but how much you will be paid for many years into the future. I promise that I will explore every possible avenue to achieve a negotiated settlement which meets our objectives.
It is however regrettable that the employers' belated agreement to go to ACAS has coincided with yet another attack on UCU in the media, this time with UCEA Chair Professor Bill Wakeham criticising the 'excessive pay claim' submitted on your behalf.
In response, let me my position clear. I make no apologies for wanting a better deal for university staff. I think you deserve it. I am saddened that UCEA seem determined to portray us as greedy and unreasonable, not least since Professor Wakeham himself has seen his pay as vice-chancellor of Southampton University grow by 22% since 2006 to now stand at £240,000. Other vice-chancellors have done better still.
So let us get serious. UCU's pay claim is about much more than the headline increase, important though it is to protect the value of your salary. Our claim also highlights the need to enhance pay and job security for all including the thousands of staff on casual contracts; to achieve more recognition for senior staff stuck on the top of scales; and to address the continuing low pay of women relative to the average.
Everyone recognises the economic climate but I believe your employers can and should do much more on these issues, and I will be pressing them to do so when we finally enter negotiations.
Finally, I would like to again ask for your help with two things.
Firstly, while I believe that this dispute can be resolved I hope that if I have to ask for your support to persuade the employers that we are serious you will feel able to give it. From speaking to many of you I know you understand what is at stake.
Secondly, I would like to take this opportunity to draw your attention to massive proposed job cuts at London Metropolitan University where at least 330 posts are now under threat. As you may know, London Metropolitan University has recently had a massive cut in its teaching budget as a result inaccurate returns on student completion rates. Unfortunately, London Met's managers have responded to this crisis by seeking to slash jobs and failing to consult meaningfully with staff or unions about the future of the university. I am sure you agree with me that it is unacceptable to punish staff for what appear to be serious failings in London Metropolitan University's management. The proposed job cuts throw the future viability of the university into doubt at a time when education is seen to be vital to our nation's economic health, as well as further undermining efforts to widen participation in higher education.
UCU will not stand by and allow those in charge to further undermine this university. With regional and national support, the branch is fighting these cuts but as with our recent success in re-establishing recognition for UCU at Nottingham Trent University your support here will be crucial. If you can, please attend the lobby of Governors on Wednesday 28 January. To find out more and to sign the petition go here: www.ucu.org.uk/saveouruniversity. Our ability to help each other in time of trouble is the essence of what UCU is about and I know our members at London Met can rely on your support.
I know you are busy so thank you for taking the time to read this letter. If you have any comments please get in touch.
Best wishes
Sally
UCU general secretary
Subject: UCEA finally agrees to talks
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 8 January 2009
To: HE members Dear colleague
UCEA finally agrees to talks I am writing to update you on latest developments in the current impasse between UCU and UCEA, the organisation that represents HE employers. This letter contains important information. I know you are busy but please take the time to read it. As you will know I have been asking UCEA since February 2008 to restart discussions on a number of substantial areas of disagreement between us. These areas of disagreement are not arcane. They affect how much you will be paid in the future; UCU's right to negotiate on issues specific to the academic team; whether employers will be allowed to opt in or out of future pay rises just as they please; and even UCU's right to take industrial action as a last resort should the need arise. My view has always been that even these substantial differences could be settled with good will on both sides which is why in the absence of any response from the employers I suggested seeking the assistance of the government's arbitration service ACAS. I am now pleased to report that UCEA has finally agreed to this request and I hope that these talks will now get under way as quickly as possible. You have my undertaking that I will do everything I can to reach an agreement which provides the stability UCU members want. Given that UCEA have now agreed to go to ACAS, I thought it might also be helpful for members to clarify the outstanding issues: - UCEA's refusal to agree to a distinct national negotiating sub-committee to discuss issues directly germane to academic and related staff;
- UCEA's refusal to agree to amendments to the proposed annual negotiating timetable to provide timely negotiations and to allow UCU the freedom as an independent trade union to take industrial action at a time it chooses.
- UCEA's refusal to withdraw their 'opt out' proposals under which your employers can decide on an annual basis whether to honour any pay agreements we make nationally. The 'opt out' facility endangers the stability of national bargaining and undermines the credibility of negotiated pay awards.
- UCEA's refusal to discuss with UCU our 2009 pay claim. I have read with increasing alarm media reports of 'pay freezes' and 'zero offers' sourced from institution heads, finance directors and employer interest groups. Yet while UCEA is happy to brief to the press they will not even discuss your pay until the end of March 2009. They have refused to meet UCU at all unless we sign up to the detrimental changes to bargaining structures rejected by our members in a ballot.
I, like many of you, have viewed UCEA's unwillingness to enter into a dialogue with UCU (the largest union in the sector) about these four issues with increasing concern. When faced with this frustrating position in December, UCU's Higher Education Committee mandated me to ballot HE members for industrial action should satisfactory progress not be made on these issues by the end of January 2009. Your representatives took this decision after ten months of stonewalling from UCEA. My hope is that UCEA's belated agreement to engage with UCU via ACAS is serious and will lead to an agreement which will render this ballot unnecessary. I am sure you share this view.
I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce Michael MacNeil to you as the new UCU National Head of HE. Michael is a skilled and experienced negotiator and will be working alongside me to reach an agreement that provides the stability UCU members want at this difficult economic time. Finally, can I ask for your help?
What is at stake in the current negotiations is nothing less than UCU's ability to represent members effectively and deliver better salaries and conditions as we did in 2006 to the benefit of all in the sector. I promise to do everything I can to reach an agreement over the coming weeks but if this is not possible we may need to show the employers we are serious about defending our union. Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. Please accept my best wishes for the New Year. Yours sincerely
Sally Hunt, general secretary
Subject: Important information from UCU about your future pay
From: Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary
Date: 8 December 2008
To: HE members Dear colleague,
I am writing to update you on what UCU is doing to break a deadlock that exists between us and UCEA, the body which represents universities and HE colleges.
The recession and credit crunch are moments for us all to take stock. UCU believes that staff across the sector want us to try to work together with the employers to resolve our differences and to protect pay, jobs and the institutions we work in.
I have today therefore written to the head of your institution to set out UCU's position as follows, in the hope of a positive response so that we can begin talks immediately:
1. 2009 pay negotiations
Clearly the current economic situation means that 2009 will be a difficult year for everyone, and equally difficult for pay negotiations. However threats by UCEA and some institutions of 'zero pay rises' do not contribute to a conflict-free pay round. UCU acknowledges the economic realities, but we cannot let employers use this as an excuse to claw back staff gains from 2006, sap staff morale, and create instability at a crucial time for HE. - UCU's proposal:
UCU believes dialogue is essential if we are to avoid conflict. We have submitted the pay claim for 2009 and we are proposing a meeting with UCEA to discuss pay in order to provide reassurance to staff that they will not be faced with the nil percent increases suggested in recent editions of Times Higher Education magazine.
2. The proposed UCEA 'opt out' of national pay rises
UCEA proposes to allow every HE institution to 'opt in' or 'out out' of nationally agreed pay rises every year. This will make a mockery of national negotiations, and will lead to local bargaining with no protection for staff. - UCU's proposal:
UCU believes that stable national bargaining is vital for all in the current economic climate. The proposed 'opt out' will create instability and lead to local industrial relations problems at a time when we should all be pulling together.
UCU proposes that UCEA withdraw the 'opt out' plan and that institutions commit to honouring national pay awards for the future. This will provide much needed stability.
3. Disagreements over bargaining arrangements
UCU members voted in a ballot to reject certain proposed changes to national bargaining arrangements.
We were unhappy that the new proposals did not allow us to represent the sometimes distinct interests of academic and related staff in a separate forum.
Members were also concerned that the proposed negotiating timetable would mean any industrial action could only take place during the summer. Agreeing to this would shift the balance at the negotiating table far too far towards the employers and allow the unions little effective response to a low offer.
Put simply, if UCEA's proposals had been in place in 2006 staff would not have benefited from the 15% increase in salaries won through UCU's industrial action. - UCU's proposal:
UCU is the largest union in HE. Without our participation - as everyone recognises - bargaining arrangements lack credibility. At a time when stability is the top priority we need to sit down and reach agreement with the employers urgently. At the moment the employers refuse even to talk about our concerns.
UCU proposes immediate negotiations with UCEA to reach agreement on the two areas our members are concerned with. If there is good will on both sides we can resolve our differences quickly and in the interests of the sector.
4. The use of ACAS
UCU recognises that the employers' rhetoric sometimes gets in the way of making progress in negotiations. Currently, for example, UCEA are saying they will refuse to talk to UCU, presumably to appease those institutions who favour 'a hard line'.
Therefore so no one loses face and all can work constructively together, we propose that both sides agree to ask a respected third party such as ACAS to facilitate urgent talks designed to ensure a negotiating structure acceptable to all. 5. What can you do?
As a member of the largest union in HE, ask your vice-chancellor or principal to agree that your institution supports national pay bargaining arrangements and ask them to use their influence to get UCEA back to the negotiating table.
I and your Higher Education Committee are determined to do everything in our power to protect pay and jobs over the coming months; but if the employers continue to refuse to talk I may need to ask for your further support to impress upon them the seriousness of the situation.
In the meantime, you have my assurance that I will do all in my power to achieve the union's objectives through negotiation and dialogue. For further information please visit: www.ucu.org.uk/hepay
Yours sincerely
Sally Hunt,
UCU general secretary
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