UK universities are going to have to offer a pay rise of about 8 per cent to satisfy workers and unions, according to employment experts, with big settlements in other sectors being closely watched by staff on the picket lines.
Negotiations on a new pay deal are being brought forward following three days of walkouts by University and College Union (UCU) members across 150 campuses in November. The UCU is demanding a wage rise in excess of inflation, which is currently running at about 11 per cent.
Gregor Gall, a research associate at the University of Glasgow and an expert in industrial relations, said staff expected the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (Ucea) offer to be “at least double” the 3 per cent rise imposed for 2021-22, with more possible if industrial action proves to be sufficiently disruptive, particularly during the busy winter exam period.
