UCEA response to UCU's IA update

Raj Jethwa, UCEA’s Chief Executive said:

“The fact that UCU is not calling indefinite strike action is welcome, but their revised strike plans could still have a damaging impact on students. UCU needs to provide its members with a realistic and fair assessment of what is achievable, before giving them the chance to accept or refuse the highest HE pay offer* made in nearly 20 years.

UCEA’s offer would mean an uplift of up to 7 percent, with a minimum of 5 percent for anyone earning up to £51,000.

"The structure of our offer recognises that cost-of-living pressures fall disproportionately on the lower paid staff. Despite unprecedented financial pressures also faced by employers, from rising running costs to tuition fee freezes, they have all remained committed to implementing a proportion of this award from February. This is six months early as a direct response to current cost of living concerns. These are significant financial risks for many HEIs who are unable to forecast with certainty their income for 2023-24 and, while employers have a great deal of sympathy with staff coping with financial pressures, none could offer a pay award that would get close to current levels of inflation.