Marking boycott postponed as staff offered 2% pay rise

The planned marking boycott has been postponed following negotiations between the University and College Union and the Universities and Colleges’ Employers Association.

The offer of a 2% pay rise for higher education staff was made on Tuesday 15^th April following a meeting between the education unions and the employer body.

The Higher Education committee of the UCU met earlier today (16^th April) to discuss the proposed pay rise and agreed to allow UCU members to vote on the offer through a ballot.

In light of this development the UCU decided to postpone the proposed marking boycott. It was due to take place on 28^th April but will now be delayed until 6^th May to allow UCU members time to consider the offer before voting.

Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the UCU, said:  “Following this offer, UCU has decided to ballot members on their views. It is only right that they make the ultimate decision about what happens next.”

Connor Rand, the incoming Undergraduate Education Officer, said ““I’m pleased that the Universities and Colleges’ Employers Association has agreed to offer a 2% pay rise to avert industrial action. It is extremely important for the learning and welfare of students that lecturers are treated fairly and no lecturers wanted to take such action for the sake of it.

However, it is ultimately up to UCU members to decide whether this is an acceptable offer, in light of the huge real terms pay cut lecturers have experienced in the last few years and their concerns about the direction of education and learning in this country”

Results of the vote will be announced on 2^nd May.