UCEA comment on UCU's media statement on the 2023-24 New JNCHES pay talks

Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said: 
 
“The employers entered this unique negotiation process seeking just an understandable period of calm to allow constructive negotiation. Union threats of strike action and announcement of a marking and assessment boycott will be interpreted by many – students, staff, employers and others – as undermining any such period of calm. While there will be disappointment and frustration across the sector at UCU’s threats for more industrial action, we have an obligation to negotiate now as all HE institutions fully recognise the inflationary pressures currently facing all staff. 
 
"UCU should be honest with their members and stop implying these negotiations are for last year's deal (2022-23) as well for 2023-24. We have been constantly clear that while UCEA cannot re-open the 2022-23 pay round, which our member HE institutions have consistently confirmed as fully concluded, we have all remained committed to the possibility of bringing forward the New JNCHES 2023-24 pay negotiations in response to cost-of-living concerns. But threats of needless industrial action are testing this unique negotiation attempt by employers and will do nothing to support students, staff or the many HE institutions working hard to avoid redundancies or maintain staffing levels.