Uni strikes threaten exams as pension deal collapses

UNIVERSITY exams and assessments will now be hit by strikes as crunch talks to end a bitter dispute over pensions failed yesterday.

The University College Union warned it will make detailed preparations “for strikes to impact on assessment and exam timetables” as members voted to reject new pension proposals drawn up at talks between the union and employers’ organisation Universities UK (UUK) with conciliation service Acas.

Strike and action short of a strike remain on, the UCU said.

A UUK spokesman said: “It is hugely disappointing that students’ education will be further disrupted through continued strike action. We have engaged extensively with UCU negotiators to find a mutually acceptable way forward.”

But UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said members were determined to safeguard their pensions: “Branches made it clear today that they wanted to reject the proposal.

“The strike action for this week remains on and we will now make detailed preparations for strikes over the assessment and exam period.

“We want urgent talks with the universities’ representatives to try and find a way to get this dispute resolved.”

With the walkout by tens of thousands of staff, including lecturers, nearing the end of its fourth week in what is the biggest industrial action ever to hit UK universities, a member of Cardiff UCU, which voted almost unanimously to reject the revised offer, said: “The mood has hardened and is determined.”