UNISON
members will be receiving their ballot paper to vote on whether to take
industrial action on the current pay offer over the next few days. The ballot
period runs from 30 August to 19 September 2016. The ballot helpline opens 5
September 2016 and the number is 0800 0857 857.
The
higher education service group executive is recommending members vote ‘YES’ for
strike action in response to the employer’s miserly 1.1% pay offer for the
majority of staff.
You
may be aware that last week the employers' produced an expanded 'draft offer'
ahead of UNISON’s industrial action ballot. This was published via the
employer’s website following a UCEA Board meeting. No discussion took place
with any of the trade unions ahead of the announcement.
However,
despite the sector facing the potential for escalating strike action in the
autumn the revised draft had very little change in the detail, and no movement
on the main sticking point: the 1.1% pay offer. It also appears that the
national employers negotiating body (UCEA) has recommended to Universities
that they should implement the draft offer to staff, in effect imposing the
current offer, even before the outcome of industrial action ballots are known.
UNISON
sees this move as provocative and unnecessary given the employers stated
commitment to keep channels open for dialogue. As yet the employers have
made no attempt to approach the unions in dispute for further talks.
UNISON
members who will receive ballot papers in the coming days will see
through this attempt to influence the vote for in the industrial action on this
miserly offer. In fact, by imposing this offer it once more highlights
just how little the offer is worth for the majority of staff.
UNISON has outlined the growing pay inequality in
higher education and has produced a salary calculator that clearly shows
how far behind wages have fallen behind the cost of living. Full details can be
found here: https://www.unison.org.uk/news/article/2016/08/he-pay-calculator/
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