The Joint Unions attended the first JNCHES Negotiating meeting with UCEA on Tuesday 13th December 2023.

It was our understanding that UCEA had a mandate from their member institutions to commence the 2023-24 pay round and the joint unions had agreed to this request in good faith. As you will see from the attached Joint Trade Union statement UCEA refused to present an offer for 2023-24 unless the trade unions agreed to not continue with planned industrial action which the unions were unable to do due to their democratic processes. UCEA requested that the first JNHCES meeting be adjourned to allow a consultation with the UCEA board with a view to restarting the meeting as soon as possible 

We also attach an Employer statement in relation to the issues they think will impact on the 2023-24 pay round. Education NISC considered this statement this morning and we are preparing a response to it

The next scheduled meeting of JNCHES is on Monday 9th January 2023 and the outcomes of that meeting will be considered by Education NISC on Thursday 12th January 2023

If there are any further developments prior to the JNCHES meeting on 9th January 2023 we will issue a further update.

May I take this opportunity of thanking you for all of your work on behalf of members in Higher Education during 2022 and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Regards

Andy Murray

National Officer Education Sector