The University and College Union (UCU) has secured a mandate to pursue industrial action following two ballots, one in relation to pay and working conditions and the other on changes to the USS pension scheme. These were conducted on an aggregated basis nationally across the higher education sector and the results were:
Pay and working conditions
The turnout across the sector was 57.7%.
81.1% of those who voted were in favour of strike action and 88.8% were in favour of industrial action consisting of action short of a strike.
USS pensions
The turnout across the sector was 60.2%.
84.9% of those who voted were in favour of strike action and 90.1% were in favour of industrial action consisting of action short of a strike.
What happens next?
We understand that UCU will now consult their membership, ahead of debating the results at their Higher Education Committee meeting on Thursday 3 November. Following that, we expect to hear UCU’s national plans for industrial action.
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.
We are aware that issues relating to pay, conditions and pensions are very important to our staff. These issues are two distinct national disputes and resolution to the concerns raised by the UCU can only occur as a result of national negotiations; our University alone cannot determine the outcomes. We have constructive relationships with all our campus trade unions, and we will continue to work with them during this period.
We will continue to update our staff and students about the developments relating to potential industrial action on SUSSED.
Related Information
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and Universities UK (UUK) have both responded to the announcement of the UCU ballot and links to their statements can be found below:
UCEA: pay and working conditions
Universities UK: USS pension
