Staff pay at UK universities that do not participate in collective bargaining has risen marginally above the national offer, while the national award is expected to be delayed as negotiations with unions continue.
This year’s national negotiations with the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association (Ucea) resulted in a final offer of 2 per cent – up on the 1.4 per cent offered last year but far below the 7 per cent that the unions had been pushing for.
The pay award comes after a year of ongoing job cuts and a failed attempt by the sector’s unions to launch national industrial action over pay.
The University and College Union (UCU) has confirmed that it will consult with members over the offer and will recommend staff reject it.
However, Ucea said that the pay award was expected to be delayed and would have to be backdated because the dispute resolution process with the unions was ongoing.
