We are the University: UCU industrial action ballot

I am writing to confirm your elected representatives on UCU's higher education committee (HEC) has voted to call an industrial action ballot over pay for all members covered by the JNCHES negotiating umbrella.

The ballot comes after HEC representatives considered the results of the consultative electronic ballot on the higher education pay and working conditions 2025/26 final offer from the employers' representative Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA).   

The pay element of UCEA's offer is a 1.4% increase, which is below inflation and translates into another real-terms pay cut, and which almost all university employers have unilaterally imposed on staff from 1 August 2025.

It is the strong belief of elected representatives on HEC that this position simply cannot go unchallenged. 

Our sister unions in JNCHES (UNISON, GMB, Unite and EIS) are also proceeding with statutory industrial action ballots of their members. This will increase both our bargaining power and workplace solidarity.  

We have agreed the following provisional timetable with Civica Election Services, the independent election scrutineer, who will conduct the statutory ballot.  

The vote will be conducted by post as required by law and is provisionally set to open in the week commencing Monday 20 October, and it will run for approximately 6 weeks.  

We believe this timeline will give us enough time to set out the case for a Yes vote, develop a clear and coherent campaign strategy and build trust and engagement with you as members. 

Later this week we will be launching social media, workplace and online campaign resources. To win this ballot we will need everyone to come together.  

It's time to remind bosses and politicians: We are the University.  

In solidarity 

Jo Grady 
UCU general secretary