UCU to ballot higher education staff over 'disappointing' pay offer

The union said the initial offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) was less than universities could afford to pay, and does little to address the real terms pay cut of 14.5% suffered by higher education staff since 2009.

UCU head of bargaining, Michael MacNeil, said: 'Staff working in higher education want to see a sensible offer which begins to address the real-terms pay cut they have endured since 2009.

'A 1% offer is disappointing, and much less than universities can afford to pay. UCEA urgently needs to review its approach and come back to the next meeting with an appropriate offer.'

The ballot will close on Wednesday 4 May. The next joint meeting of employers and unions will take place on Thursday 28 April.