The University College Union (UCU) has secured a mandate to pursue industrial action at our University. This follows the recent re-ballot of UCU members across all 146 employer institutions. Two separate ballots were held, one regarding pay and conditions, and the other over the USS pension scheme.
The University of Southampton has over 6,500 staff, of whom 909 are UCU members who are eligible to vote in these ballots. In both ballots just over 50% of eligible members cast a vote, therefore providing the Southampton branch with a mandate to take action.
The re-ballots relate to sector-wide disputes; over the 2021-22 pay outcome; and changes to the USS pension scheme.
What happens next?
We will need to wait for more detail of what action the UCU intend to take.
The re-ballots were disaggregated (i.e. university by university), and only a relatively small number of UCU branches (37) achieved the mandate to take action. This is important context because any resolution to the concerns raised by the UCU can only occur as a result of national negotiations; our University alone cannot determine the outcomes.
UCU held a meeting of its Higher Education Committee on Wednesday 20 April 2022 to discuss the ballot results on pay and will meet again on Wednesday 27 April 2022 to discuss the results on USS. It is then expected that a decision will be made as to whether the Union will pursue industrial action or not.
The University must receive a minimum of 14 calendar days written notice prior to the commencement of any form of industrial action and we will communicate with staff and students as soon as we are informed of any such plans.
Our priority at all times is to provide a world-class education for our students. If the UCU does confirm its intention for industrial action at our University, we will immediately implement our plans to support our students and minimise the impact of any industrial action on them.
Related information
You can read UCEA’s response to the UCU re-ballot on pay and conditions, as well as Universities UK’s response on USS.
