Universities UK has expressed disappointment that the University
and College Union (UCU) has rejected the proposals
jointly agreed at Acas
yesterday between UCU and Universities UK.
Universities UK is now consulting with
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) employers about a
revised mandate ahead of the scheduled Joint Negotiating
Committee tomorrow (Wednesday 14 March).
A Universities UK spokesperson said:
“It is hugely disappointing that students’ education will be
further disrupted through continued strike action.
“We have engaged extensively with UCU negotiators to find a
mutually acceptable way forward. The jointly developed proposal
on the table, agreed at ACAS, addresses the priorities that UCU
set out.
“We have listened to the concerns of university staff and offered
to increase employer contributions to ensure that all members
would receive meaningful defined benefits.
“We recognised concerns raised about the valuation and have
agreed to convene an independent expert valuation group.
“Our hope is that UCU can find a way to continue to engage
constructively, in the interests of students and those staff who
are keen to return to work.”
ENDS
Notes
- Talks between Universities UK and UCU began at Acas on Monday
5 March 2018 following discussions that started in January 2017.
An agreement was
reached on Wednesday 12 March between Universities UK
(UUK) and the University and College Union (UCU) on
proposals under the auspices of Acas following six days of
talks.
- As part of the agreement, it was proposed
that all USS members would receive defined
benefits (DB) up to a £42,000 salary threshold. More than
50% of USS members would continue to have a fully DB pension.
- The transitional arrangement would take effect from 1 April
2019, lasting for 3 years. To achieve this interim solution, both
employers and members would be required to pay higher
contributions. This would include a total employer contribution
of 19.3% of salaries and a total member contribution of 8.7%.
These increased contributions would only be in place for the
duration of the 3-year transitional arrangement.
- Given the concerns raised by some employers and UCU about the
scheme’s valuation methodology and assumptions, an agreement was
also reached between UCU and UUK to convene an independent expert
valuation group.
- Employers views
on the proposal are currently being collated.
- USS is governed by a clear set of scheme rules. The Joint
Negotiating Committee decided upon benefit reform changes
on 23 January
2018. The JNC brings together an equal number of
representatives from Universities UK and the University and
College Union. The JNC has an independent chair who oversees
discussions between employer and member representatives, and
can choose to cast a deciding vote if agreement between both
parties cannot be reached.
