UCU slams university employers over refusal to present pay offer

Unions re-entered negotiations on Tuesday 13 December, but in that meeting UCEA said that an offer could only be produced if unions ceased all industrial action. In doing so, UCEA referred to a statement which had not been jointly agreed by the unions.

The unions (UCU, EIS, GMB, UNISON and Unite) made clear that they could not, and would not, cease all industrial action and urged employers to come forwards with an updated offer before Christmas.

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Universities are on the brink of facing sustained sector wide action, yet they have refused to make us an offer that could settle this dispute. Yesterday, we entered negotiations ready to discuss pay and working conditions but UCEA refused to do so. Instead, it is demanding we bind ourselves to taking no industrial action as a pre-condition of even seeing its offer. No union could agree to such an absurd demand.

'It is very worrying to see UCEA prevaricating and calling for adjournments when we need an offer we can put to members that will address the cost-of-living crisis and avoid any further strike action. If UCEA won't negotiate in the room, it can negotiate on the picket line.'