At the end of last week the results of national ballots of members from our three campus trade unions were announced. Although UNISON and Unite did not reach the legal 50 per cent threshold needed, the University and College Union (UCU) did achieve a mandate at a number of institutions, including ours, to pursue industrial action over the national issues of pay and pension* reform.
The prospect of local industrial action at Southampton alongside a minority of universities across the country is very disappointing. Our priority is to provide a world-class education for our students and in the event of a strike the University will do everything possible to minimise disruption to teaching and learning.
We have previously published articles on SUSSED to outline our position on the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) and pay. You can also find further information from Universities UK (UUK) that represents the university employers for the USS pension and the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) which is the body that conducts national negotiations on the annual base pay uplift.
We believe that the recent national outcomes on these issues deliver the best benefits that can be achieved for both our own employees and for the ongoing financial sustainability of our University.
The UCU disaggregated ballot (by individual institution) on these national issues presents complications. We will therefore need to wait for more detail of what action UCU intend to take and will communicate this to staff and students as soon as we are informed.
We know that all of our colleagues care deeply about the education of our students and the wider activities of our University, and we will work to mitigate the impact of any action on our community.
* specifically the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)
