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Agreement reached in protracted contracts dispute with University of Liverpool

18 September 2013

Agreement has been reached between UCU, the University of Liverpool and ACAS, in a row brought about by the university's proposal to dismiss 769 staff and rehire them on new contracts with less favourable conditions.

As a result of the successful negotiations, 769 professional, managerial, specialist and senior admin (PMSA) staff at the university, will now receive equivalent time off in lieu (TOIL) when they work evenings, weekends, bank holidays and closure days.
 
The union had previously been told that if it didn't agree to a new contract which had no guarantee of proper TOIL arrangements for PMSA staff, then the university would give those staff three months' notice of dismissal before rehiring them on the new unfavourable conditions.

Members of UCU at the University of Liverpool had voted in favour of strike action and other forms of industrial action over the university's proposal. Two-thirds (65%) of UCU members who voted, backed strike action, and four-fifths (82%) backed action short of a strike.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'This is a great outcome for our members at the University of Liverpool. University staff are under greater pressure in the fast-changing higher education landscape and many are reporting working longer hours.

'There has to be recognition of this or staff morale will be damaged. We are very pleased that this has been achieved through constructive negotiations with the university, avoiding the need for industrial action.'

UCU regional official, Martyn Moss, said: 'Our members felt so strongly about the way the university was bringing in new contracts that many were prepared to take industrial action and their support was critical in resolving this dispute. Fortunately, in the end we were able to sit down and reach agreement through negotiation with the help of ACAS which of course, is better for everyone involved.
 
'Staff are very satisfied with the outcome knowing they can now put in extra hours as and when is necessary, for which they will be adequately compensated.'

Last updated: 10 December 2015

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