Thousands of lecturers set to strike
Thousands of lecturers are set to walk out on strike if a dispute over pay isn't resolved.
Two unions, the AUT and NATFHE, balloted their members, with large majorities of those who responded saying that they would be in favour of strike action. More still voted for 'action short of a strike', which could include boycotting assessments and examinations.
"The unequivocal backing from members of both unions for industrial action sends a clear message to the employers," said AUT general secretary Sally Hunt. "University staff do not appreciate being lied to and today they have said that enough is enough."
With top-up fees arriving this autumn and extra money from the government, universities are set to receive a major cash injection. Academics say some of that money should go to them: the unions claim that pay has fallen by 40% over the last 20 years.
"Employers must respond immediately with an offer - not talks about talks - if they are to prevent disruption," said NATFHE general secretary Paul Mackney. "The government has increased funding and vice chancellors promised to use fees to improve pay. It's time to come up with the cash."
UCEA, which represents universities in pay negotiations, said it was willing to talk – but only if strike plans were "put on ice". It tried to dampen down claims of mass disruption, saying that those who voted for a strike count for just 11% of the 165,000 academic and related staff employed by universities and HE colleges in the UK.
"Despite campaigning hard for disruption rather than dialogue the academic unions have gained support for strikes and other action from only a minority of their members, and from much smaller proportions of all academic staff," said Dr Geoffrey Copland, UCEA Chair.
"[The unions'] determination to disrupt students' education is a major concern," added UCEA Chief Exec Jocelyn Prudence. "Universities will seek to minimise the impact on students, but some could be adversely affected - quite unnecessarily."
Dates for walkouts are expected to be announced in the next few days.
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