UCEA welcomes the call for UCU to return to negotiations

Raj Jethwa, UCEA Chief Executive said:

“UCEA welcomes the call for UCU to return to negotiations. The ball is in UCU’s court and we are sat at the negotiating table, waiting for UCU and the other trade unions to join us and discuss the important pay related issues, as agreed in the Acas facilitated agreed terms of reference. As UCU knows, negotiations on pay were completed in mid-February, but Acas talks continued and led to concrete proposals in relation to the reform of the pay spine; the disability, ethnicity and gender pay gaps; workload, and contract types. These proposals were renegotiated and agreed line by line with UCU’s negotiators.

“The University of Cambridge is one of the 144 HE institutions that took part in the 2023-24 pay round and its message is clear in urging a return to negotiations on the basis of the Acas terms of reference. UCEA has not withdrawn from negotiations. On 11 May we wrote to UCU* and the other unions emphasising our strong desire to begin constructive dialogue with the trade unions on the basis of the Acas terms of reference.

“We urge UCU to provide clarity and honesty to its own members, particularly those who are attempting MAB to target students. And UCU’s pending 2023 Congress, with a long list of HE IA motions, must avoid its usual infighting and carefully consider students and members, as this looks to be a last chance for an agreed solution to return to the table. In response to our letter of 11 May UCU* has to date failed to assure us that they will re-engage in talks to discuss the pay related items on the basis of the Acas terms of reference.”