UNISON’s national Higher Education Service Group Executive (HESGE) met on the 10th May 2016 to consider the full and final offer made by UCEA, the national higher education employers’ organisation.
After a long debate the HESGE voted unanimously to reject the employers’ offer. The committee was clear that the offer of 1.1% for most staff, with the removal of the bottom pay point from the national pay scale and tapered increases from 3.1% on point 2 to 1.6% point 7, was not enough.
Ruth Levin, National Officer, said “The employers’ offer of 1.1% for the vast majority of our members is a pittance. We know that the money is out there in universities and that they can afford to give their staff a decent and fair wage increase this year.”
“Over the past five years our members’ real term take home pay has plummeted. This year’s offer doesn’t keep up with RPI and will only compound matters.”
UNISON has written to UCEA calling on them to begin the national dispute resolution procedure. This will be followed by a consultation of branches, with a recommendation that members reject the offer and move to an industrial action ballot.
Details of the HE pay offer can be found on the UNISON website.