Newslink

UCU ballot on industrial action underway

With voting underway in the University and College Union’s national ballot on industrial action, the Vice-Chancellor has written to all staff to encourage them to engage in the debate and for UCU members to cast their votes.

The UCU is seeking an improved pay offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and an assurance that this will not jeopardise job security.

In his letter, of 30 April, Professor Chris Brink told staff: "Even if you are not a member of the UCU, this ballot and the potential industrial action may have an impact on your workplace.

"Such an important decision should be taken on the basis of a well informed and open debate, with all the facts being freely available."

The UCU is claiming an eight per cent pay rise in national negotiations.  UCEA has offered 0.3 per cent but says that staff pay has risen by a minimum of 15.9 per cent during the current three year pay deal, which is due to end in July.

Professor Brink has subsequently written to the UCU branch, stressing that Newcastle University is currently not in any immediate financial difficulties but that pay restraint is essential in the current economic climate.

"Newcastle University is in the fortunate position to have a surplus currently but I am acutely conscious that in the current economic climate our financial plans must be prudent," he said in the letter to the UCU.

"The increase in USS (pensions) contributions from October 2009 will cost the University £1.9 million in addition to rising pay costs which will be 56 per cent of income in 2009/10 compared to 54 per cent last year.

"We expect cuts of up to £1 million in HEFCE funding for 2009/10 as a consequence of the recent Budget and 2010/11 will bring further reductions in the real level of funding which will increase pressure on budgets.

"On the assumption of restraint on pay increases, we do not believe that compulsory redundancies will be necessary as a response to this situation within the coming year.  In the longer term we are actively considering delays in filling vacancies, whether staff will be replaced and other means to achieve the required savings," said Professor Brink.

The UCU, which has 884 members among Newcastle University’s 4,899 staff, closes its ballot on 22 May.  The other trade unions representing staff have not called a ballot and are continuing to negotiate with UCEA.

Further information is available via the pay negotiations web page on the University’s Human Resources website.

 

published on: 11th May 2009