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UCU response to minister's comments on university pensions strikes

19 March 2018

Responding to a statement from universities minister Sam Gyimah, issued today (Monday), the University and College Union (UCU) said it had an incredibly strong mandate for further strikes if the dispute could not be resolved. 

The union said it shared the minister's concerns about disruption to students, but only an improved offer could ensure no further strikes. In the recent ballot, UCU members overwhelmingly backed industrial action, with 88% of members who voted backing strike action on a turnout 58%.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'We share the minister's concerns about disruption to students' education and want to resolve this dispute as soon as possible. However, we are clear that the only way this dispute will be sorted is with the employers presenting an improved offer.

'We have an incredibly strong mandate for 14 more days of strikes that will impact on the exam and assessment period. We know that students do not want universities to try and implement contingency plans to mitigate the impact of action - they want this dispute to be sorted.  The most effective way to avoid further disruption is for the employers to come back to the table with a better offer.'

Last updated: 23 March 2018

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