Newcastle University

Following the latest meeting of the national negotiating bodies, the UCEA has released the following statement.

Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the HE trade unions met on 11 July 2011 for the third time in the national negotiating framework to progress the 2011-12 HE pay negotiations.
UCEA highlighted the exceptionally difficult funding settlements for 2011-12 and the considerable uncertainty facing the higher education sector at the present time. The context for discussions includes the pay freeze for the majority of public sector employees, further financial challenges and uncertainties arising from changes to funding and the recent White Paper and austerity measures in the devolved administrations.

Against this background, the employers set out a final offer of £150 on all points on the JNCHES common pay spine. This is in addition to the incremental rises that many staff are likely to receive.

This offer has been made in recognition of the difficulties faced by the lower paid staff working in the sector. The employers confirmed their commitment to working together during these financially difficult and uncertain times on other issues raised in the trade unions’ claim including equality, pay data, and training and development.

Employers now look to the trade unions to give the offer fair consideration and hope that their members’ views will be sought at an early stage, recognising that the offer is made in difficult times.