Scores of MPs and Peers condemn brutal university staff pay deductions

University staff began boycotting all marking and assessments in a long running dispute over pay and working conditions on Thursday 20 April.

However, in response employer body the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) recommended that all 145 universities across the UK make punitive pay deductions of between 50-100%. Staff engaged in the boycott are still continuing to attend work and perform the majority of their other duties.

In the letter, MPs and Peers from the Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Plaid Cymru and SNP say there is 'no ethical justification for making such punitive deductions, especially during a cost of living crisis'.

The letter warns UCEA and vice-chancellors that the threats to deduct wages do 'nothing for the reputation of UK higher education' and 'put a resolution to the dispute further away'. 

The letter was circulated by Beth Winter, Labour MP for Cynon Valley. It was signed by former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas. It was also signed by prominent members of the House of Lords including former Trades Union Congress general secretary Frances O'Grady and renowned barrister John Hendy KC. 

UCU has urged vice-chancellors and UCEA to immediately withdraw the threats and return to the negotiating table. Otherwise, the boycott will continue. 

UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: 'Members of Parliament and the House of Lords can see what many university leaders cannot; namely that these deductions are immoral, counterproductive, and have no place in our universities. UCEA and vice-chancellors need to stop with the bully-boy tactics which are damaging to staff, students, and the international reputation of UK higher education.' 

Beth Winter MP said: 'University staff deserve fair pay and fair terms. That is all they're asking for. No one can disagree with that. But universities are now deepening a dispute when they should be working to resolve it. 

'Cutting 100% or even 50% of university staff pay for a marking boycott when continuing their other duties is unfair, confrontational, and will alienate staff. UCEA needs to show leadership, stop these deductions, and meet UCU at the negotiating table to reach an agreed resolution.' 

Full list of MPs and Peers:  

1. Tahir Ali, MP, Labour 
2. Mike Amesbury, MP, Labour 
3. Apsana Begum, MP, Labour 
4. Olivia Blake, MP, Labour 
5. Christine Blower, Peer, Labour 
6. Pauline Bryan, Peer, Labour 
7. Richard Burgon, MP, Labour 
8. Dawn Butler , MP, Labour 
9. Ian Byrne, MP, Labour 
10. Dan Carden, MP, Labour 
11. Shami Chakrabarti, Peer, Labour 
12. Jeremy Corbyn, MP, Independent 
13. Bryn Davies, Peer, Labour 
14. Geraint Davies, MP, Labour 
15. Mary Foy, MP, Labour 
16. Margaret Greenwood, MP, Labour 
17. John Hendy, Peer, Labour 
18. Wera Hobhouse, MP, Liberal Democrat 
19. Kate Hollern, MP, Labour 
20. Kim Johnson, MP, Labour 
21. Ben Lake, MP, Plaid Cymru 
22. Ian Lavery, MP, Labour 
23. Clive Lewis, MP, Labour 
24. David Linden, MP, SNP 
25. Ruth Lister, Peer, Labour 
26. Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP, Labour 
27. Tony Lloyd, MP, Labour 
28. Caroline Lucas, MP, Green 
29. Andy McDonald, MP, Labour 
30. John McDonnell, MP, Labour 
31. Rachael Maskel, MP, Labour 
32. Ian Mearns, MP , Labour 
33. Grahame Morris, MP, Labour 
34. Charlotte Nichols, MP, Labour 
35. Frances O'Grady, Peer, Labour 
36. Kate Osamor, MP, Labour 
37. Kate Osborne, MP, Labour 
38. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP, Labour 
39. Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP, Labour 
40. Liz Saville-Roberts, MP, Plaid Cymru 
41. Tommy Sheppard, MP, SNP 
42. Prem Sikka, Peer, Labour 
43. Cat Smith, MP, Labour 
44. Zarah Sultana, MP, Labour 
45. Sam Tarry, MP, Labour 
46. Claudia Webbe, MP, Independent 
47. Mick Whitley, MP, Labour 
48. Nadia Whittome, MP, Labour 
49. Hywel Williams, MP, Plaid Cymru 
50. Beth Winter, MP, Labour 
51. Tony Woodley, Peer, Labour