New JNCHES Trade Union side Press Release
30 March 2010
At the New JNCHES meeting on 29 March, UCEA
made an offer to explore how a non-consolidated cash sum equivalent
to 0.25% of pay bill could be applied.
The employers made no serious attempt to
address the other key elements of the joint union claim; for
example, nothing on:
· Job security
· Improving the national framework agreement
and terms and conditions of employment
· The assimilation of hourly-paid staff to the
national agreement
· Proposals to close the gender pay gap
· Proposals for a national system to pay
external examiners
Without producing any convincing evidence, the
employers asserted that the effect of incremental increases on the
pay bill should be taken into account during pay negotiations. This
provoked a strong response from the trade unions. Unlike the
private sector who pay the rate for the job from day one in the
public sector staff start below the full rate and build up
reflecting increasing knowledge and skills - arguably providing a
short term subsidy for HE employers.
The employers negotiated a pay deal in 2003
that clearly accepted increments as part of the structure so to
complain now, when they have known and presumably budgeted for such
increases, is a little disingenuous. They are looking for fig
leaves and this will not wash.
The trade union side unanimously rejected the
offer. The employers were asked to rethink their position and come
to the next meeting with a credible offer.
Another meeting is scheduled for 19 April
