Last updated: Wed 7th Jun 2006 at 14:44
As negotiations between lecturers' Unions and Universities continue, we have an updated summary of events on the strike action.
Outline of events:
- Tony Blair acknowledges lecturers’ pay has fallen 20 years behind comparable professions
- House of Commons agrees to top-up fees, on understanding that the shortfall in lecturers’ pay will be addressed
- Based on government figures, lecturers need 23% to make up shortfall
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- Reassured, lecturers’ agree to cost of living only increase in 2004 and 2005 (in order to cooperate with introduction of new HE pay spine)
- October 2005 academic unions alert universities to 23% claim for 2006
- Unions suggest staggering claim over three years to make it more manageable
- Universities’ negotiating body (UCEA) does not respond
- March 2006, to get response, unions call one day strike + boycott of assessment until dispute settled
- UCEA offer 12.6 % over three years
- Little more than inflation + no element of catch-up suggested by Tony Blair
- May 2006 unions ready to consider new offer, which is subsequently withdrawn by UCEA
What can students do?
- If you are worried about not having your work assessed, ask the VC to encourage UCEA to make a reasonable pay offer
- If you are worried about unqualified markers being drafted in to mark your work, ask the VC, Academic for assurance that this will not happen
- If you support the lecturers please:
- tell UPSU
- come to the UPSU AGM June 9th 2006
- lobby your MP
- write to the newspapers
- join with other students who support lecturers at UPSU
- email NUS, AUT and NATFHE (now one joint union UCU) at hq@ucu.org.uk or jointgeneralsecretaries@ucu.org.uk
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Sarah HALSTED (graduate psychology) -
Sat, 03 Jun 2006
