· Strikes
remain on as union calls for better deal in university pensions
dispute
· Union
says it will now make detailed preparations for strike to impact
on assessment and exam timetables
The University and College Union (UCU) has rejected a
proposal drawn up at talks between the union and Universities UK
(UUK) to end the university pensions strike. UCU representatives
from the universities where staff are on strike over plans to cut
their pensions met at the union’s headquarters today
(Tuesday).
The union is calling for urgent negotiations with the
universities’ representatives Universities UK aimed at resolving
the dispute. The union said the strikes and action short of a
strike remain on, and it would now make detailed preparations for
strikes over the assessment and exam period.
Last week the union said that universities would be hit
with a second wave of 14 strike days targeted at exams
and assessment if the dispute was not resolved.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said: ‘Branches made it
clear today that they wanted to reject the proposal. UCU’s
greatest strength is that we are run by and for our members and
it is right that members always have the final say.
‘The strike action for this week remains on and we will now
make detailed preparations for strikes over the assessment and
exam period. We want urgent talks with the
universities’ representatives to try and find a way to get this
dispute resolved.’
