Newcastle University

The updated common pay spine for 2011/12 is now available. The settlement also includes agreements by the employers and the trade unions to work collaboratively on:

• A survey to review the impact of the final report of the Equality Working Group and its recommendations.
• An update of the JNCHES guidance on Work-Life balance to reflect current legislation, policy and practice in this area.
• An update of the pay data in the publication (Pay in Higher Education) that followed from the joint work in the Pay Framework and Data Research Working Group. It has been agreed that this will work will be expanded to incorporate additional information on low pay and incremental progression.

There is also agreement to take forward the initiative on training and development of staff in Higher Education proposed in the 2010/11 round.  This is to establish a forum for staff development in higher education for trade unions, HEI representatives and other relevant agencies. Its purpose is to share information and knowledge, engage stakeholders and to identify potential joint work that would assist HEIs and staff in maximising the opportunities and benefits of training, development and apprenticeships. This could include the creation of an enabling framework for the training and development of staff in higher education.