Strike threat looms over UK universities

Monday, 8 December 2008 9:56 AM

University and college lecturers may cause disruption to students in post-16 education by striking over pay, a union leader has warned.

University and College Union general secretary Sally Hunt told politics.co.uk she is increasingly concerned employer representatives are "looking for a fight" as the next round of pay talks gets underway.

The last three-year pay negotiation by UCU won lecturers a five per cent pay increase but difficulties over the mechanism of negotiating pay are frustrating early efforts towards a follow-up deal.

Ms Hunt said she had written three times to employer representatives requesting a neutral arbitration but had failed to receive a reply.

"You need two to tango. if they are not willing to do that it tells me they are looking to have a confrontation rather than resolve it. That's their call and there are consequences," she said.

"If they're not willing to even. resolve how we talk to each other, I think the sector could be in for a rough ride."

Other measures short of a strike, like refusing to set or mark exam papers, would also have a negative impact on students.

But Ms Hunt said her union, which underwent a merger completed in 2006, is now "fit for purpose" when it comes to industrial action.

"I would rather not put my members or students in that situation. But it's something that has to happen if we can't resolve this in any other way," Ms Hunt added.

"We don't back away from industrial action if we have to. That's what we will do this year if we have to, regardless of recession and regardless of the pressures that will be brought to bear against us."

Tags:
• education
,
• higher education