Exams threat as university strikers reject pension deal
UNIVERSITY exams and assessments will now be hit by strikes after crunch talks to end a bitter dispute over pensions failed.
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 Universities UK (UUK) with conciliation service Acas.
Strike and action short of a strike remain on, the UCU said.
As talks to resolve the dispute-failed in London yesterday, hundreds of Cardiff University staff took their fight to the Senedd to seek support from the Welsh Government.
The walkout by tens of thousands of staff, including lecturers, is 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.”
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. UCU’s greatest strength is that we are run by and for our members and it is right that members always have the final say.
“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.”
As talks to resolve the dispute failed in London hundreds of Cardiff University staff took their fight to the Senedd to seek support from the Welsh Government.
Hosted by AMs Julie Morgan and Jenny Rathbone, they met AMs to ask Cardiff Bay to use its influence with universities and UUK to find a resolution and “guarantee fair incomes in retirement for employees”.
Cardiff UCU vice-chairman Paul Brennan said: “The learning of many students in Wales is being disrupted. The UCU is committed to resolving this dispute, and many Welsh Assembly Members and MPs are fully behind our cause. We call on the Welsh Labour Government to back us, and help end this dispute fairly.”
After meeting strikers, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams said: I have been in regular touch with UCU representatives, and Universities Wales on this matter. Although there is no direct role for the Welsh Government as staff pay and conditions are matters for autonomous institutions, we remain ready to help facilitate the process, if needed.”
Strikers say they stand to lose £10,000 a year in retirement if proposed pension changes go ahead.
Their dispute centres on UUK wanting the Universities Superannuation Scheme changed from a defined benefit scheme, giving members a guaranteed income in retirement, to a defined contribution scheme, where pensions are subject to stock market changes.
UUK says it faces a more than £6m hole in its pensions pot, but the UCU and academics say UUK’s calculations are flawed and based on all universities going bankrupt at once.
The walkout involves staff at more than 60 universities across the UK, including Cardiff, Bangor, Aberystwyth and the University of Wales Trinity St David – although action at UWTSD does not affect students, the UCU said.
So far 11 of 14 strike days over a month have been staged, with three more today, tomorrow and Friday, and more now likely to be announced.
Since the walkout began some vicechancellors, including Cardiff University’s Professor Colin Riordan, have joined UCU, calling for resumed negotiations and a recalculation of UUK’s estimates for pensions.
Across Wales, Swansea University’s UCU branch did not get enough support to strike, while the University of South Wales, Cardiff Metropolitan University and Wrexham Glyndwr University all have different pension schemes and are, therefore, not in dispute.
More than 126,000 students, including more than 10,000 in Wales, have signed petitions demanding money back for tuition paid for, but not delivered during the strike. However, many signing the petitions support the walkout.
An NUS Wales spokesman said: “NUS Wales stands in full solidarity with UCU members who are taking industrial action.”
Universities in Wales have said they are taking action to offset the effects of the strike.
UUK said it was now consulting with Universities Superannuation Scheme employers about a “revised mandate” ahead of a scheduled joint negotiating committee meeting which will be attended by UUK and UCU representatives today.