UCEA’s statement on the first meeting of New JNCHES pay
negotiations on
NEWS RELEASE
29 March 2010
“UCEA and the HE trade unions* met yesterday
(29 March 2010) as New JNCHES for the first meeting of HE pay
negotiations for 2010-11. UCEA received the unions’ joint
claim of 4% plus a number of additional elements, pay-related and
otherwise.
UCEA discussed with the unions the difficult
economic background and the details and costings of their
claim. Against the background of cuts in sector funding
(£900 million in England alone) the employers invited the trade
unions to consider how a modest non-consolidated pay increase (a
quarter percent) might be applied. This offer was made
following a period of extensive consultation with HEIs.
The employers’ approach is set against an
exceptionally difficult economic climate with institutions facing
serious financial challenges and uncertainties relating to
funding. Sector pay has improved considerably in recent
years; including a base pay rise of at least 16.4% from 2006-07 to
2009-10. This, alongside the significant rise in employer
pension contributions has put pressure on HEIs’ budgets.”
* EIS, GMB, UCU, Unison and Unite
ENDS
For further information:
Please contact Marc Whittaker, Communications
and Events Officer (m.whittaker@ucea.ac.uk) on 020
7383 2444.
Notes to Editors
- The New JNCHES negotiating timetable is a
process that runs across three meetings in March, April and
May. This forum allows for three negotiating meetings (more
if required), the first being 29 March, the others being 19 April
and 5 May.
- Staff have benefited from excellent pay
awards in recent years equating to a cumulative total of at least
16.4% from 2006-07 to 2009-10. Between 2002 – 2009 (which included
pay modernisation under the Framework) HE teaching professionals’
average earnings increased by 35.8% (44.5% all
staff) compared to 30% in the whole economy (ASHE) and against 20%
RPI over the period. Full-time HE teaching professionals’ earnings
in April 2009 were £50,091 at the mean (£46,243 at the median). For
details go to UCEA’s website: http://www.ucea.ac.uk/en/Pay_and_Reward/FactsandFigures.cfm
- HE continues to provide highly regarded benefits, notably its
pensions and incremental arrangements.
Trade Unions continue to express
understandable concerns over job security. It should be noted
that:
- The Digest on job security,
developed through Acas during the 2009 pay negotiations, encourages
dialogue and understanding of important issues facing institutions
considering staffing matters, including serious financial
sustainability challenges. This Digest is a reference document
specific to the HE sector. The Digest was distributed by employers
and unions in March 2010.
- HE staff have some of the best employment frameworks in the UK.
Decisions affecting jobs are never taken lightly at institutional
level and would be considered against the backdrop of rigorous
processes in place for staffing matters involving change.
A recent (18 March 2010) Times Higher
Education feature ‘Ready for the storm?’ made clear that, even
prior to recent HEFCE and HEFCW funding cuts, sector finances were
in far from good health. As the article makes clear:
David Edwards, director of Grant Thornton's not-for-profit
advisory services division, says the financial survey suggests that
2008-09 was "the last of the good years": "Our concern is that
despite a period of plenty, the sector is still in fragile shape to
cope with the lean years to come," he says. "An average surplus for
the sector of just 1.4 per cent is marginal at best, particularly
when the primary source of income for the sector (funding council
grants) is being cut, and the next highest (tuition fees) is
capped. That gives the sector very little room to move, and despite
efforts to bolster other areas of income, many institutions are
going to have to look to cost savings to achieve financial
sustainability."
See:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=26&storycode=410843&c=2
