University and College Union (UCU) members have confirmed that they will go on a two-day nationwide strike following the University and Colleges Employers’ Association’s (UCEA) offer of a 1.1% pay rise. The UCU called the offer ‘insulting’, and will consider further strike action in the summer months.
The UCU has also recommended members should “‘begin working to contract’ from May 25, which means they will refuse to work overtime, set additional work or undertake any voluntary duties…’
The press release also quotes the UCU general secretary Sally Hunt, who has said:
‘Members in higher education have sent a clear message to employers that, after six years of real-terms pay cuts amounting to 14.5%, they will not tolerate a continued squeeze on their income. Industrial action which impacts on students is never taken lightly, but staff feel that they have been left with no alternative.
‘A 1.1% offer is an insult to the hard work and dedication of higher education staff, particularly in light of the 3% average pay rise enjoyed by vice-chancellors this year. The ball is now in UCEA’s court, but the employers need to come back to the table with a much improved offer if they wish to avoid significant disruption to students in the coming months.’