The unions have declared that the upcoming two-week strike by university employees has been called off due to a breakthrough in negotiations over pay, pensions, and working conditions.
Five unions – Unison, UCU, GMB, Unite, and EIS – released a joint statement with the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) confirming the suspension of three days of strikes following discussions at the conciliation service Acas, although discussions will continue.
According to Unison, it follows an agreement by university employers to increase pay for the lowest paid in higher education. And conduct a comprehensive review of all salary categories.
The University and College Union has canceled seven days of planned protests scheduled for February 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, and March 1 and 2. However, the five days of campus strikes planned for March could still occur.
Jo Grady, general secretary of the UCU, stated, “To enable our ongoing negotiations to continue in a constructive environment. We have agreed to halt action for the next two weeks and establish a period of calm.”
Both parties have decided to continue discussing pay grading and other issues, including zero-hour contracts.
“Improving the wages of the lowest-paid university employees is important,” said Unison education director Mike Short. Cleaners, housekeepers, and others at the bottom of the pay range are in desperate need of assistance.
“The sector’s pay structure has been inadequate for years, with far too many employees receiving the minimum wage and having few opportunities to advance in their careers.
“The continuation of negotiations is a good development. Headway must be made towards increasing the salaries of all higher education employees.”
UCEA, which represents 144 higher education employers, made a final pay offer of between 8% and 5% beginning in August 2023. With a part of that to be paid in February, approximately six months before the typical pay increase date.
UCEA’s chief executive, Raj Jethwa, stated, “UCEA accepted Acas’s services as the right thing to do to reach a settlement and to meet our initial goal of providing an affordable raise to all staff earlier than usual.
“Despite strike action and additional threats of disruption, and in acknowledgment of the disproportionate impact of inflation on lower-paid employees, employers remain committed to this early implementation.
University strikes ended after wage deal
“We intend for this to be reimbursed in March paychecks, retroactive to February.” It would be unfair to further delay the early salary increase for all employees.
“While the effect of strike action remains low and isolated, this is a last-ditch effort by employers and trade unions to reach an agreement on which both sides can consult their members.”
The largest UK union, Unison, stated that most East of England ambulance service (EEAST) workers voted to strike.
The union, which covers approximately three-quarters of EEAST employees, reported that 87% of those who voted chose industrial action.
When GMB union members voted for industrial action earlier this month. EEAST employees participated in their first national strike over staffing levels and pay.
GMB stated that its members will participate in nationwide industrial action on March 6.
