Higher education employers fail to make a pay offer

31 March 2009

The Higher Education unions: EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite expressed their amazement that the national HE employers: The Universities, Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) failed to make an offer at pay talks yesterday (30th March 2009).

UCEA used the woes of the economy to go against the spirit of the negotiating process in holding back from making an offer. They also asked the unions to choose between jobs or a pay increase, adding some vague promises of discussions exploring some of the other issues that the unions had raised. The unions responded that they would be happy to have national discussions on job security in the sector, however did not accept the picture painted and would be looking in detail at the figures presented to the meeting. The unions also expressed concern that the lack of an offer undermined the spirit of the recently agreed negotiating timetable.

The unions will be discussing the employers' initial reaction and will follow up as a matter of urgency with a view to teasing out money available for this years pay round.

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315

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