NATFHE: University employers warned negotiate don't escalate

Tuesday, 16, May 2006 12:00

University lecturers’ union NATFHE expressed astonishment today at what it called the ‘hands-off and let it boil’ attitude of university employers towards the current pay dispute, revealed in a leaked UCEA calling notice for an employers' meeting this Friday 19 May. The notice makes no mention of any fresh initiative to seek a settlement of the dispute but simply hopes that student, public and government opinion will put pressure on lecturers “which may change the climate greatly”.

At the same time, some vice chancellors have escalated the dispute in several universities by threatening to dock pay. NATFHE says that employers have chosen to let the dispute fester while students desperately await its resolution.

NATFHE is writing to university vice chancellors to point out that feelings are hardening on campuses, and that increasing threats to dock pay or suspend hundreds of staff would do nothing to resolve the dispute or get exams marked. It called on employers to ‘negotiate not escalate’ the dispute.

Roger Kline said:

'The Vice Chancellors have sleep walked into this dispute. They delayed discussion and an offer. They have grossly under-estimated the strength of staff feeling. They appear to think our members would swallow the same offer as last year at a time of substantially improved funding. Now they seem happy to let the dispute escalate.

'NATFHE is writing to VCs this week warning them of the consequences of deductions and lockouts - especially when made by VCs who have awarded themselves pay increases more than double that being offered to our members. We urge VCs to come back to negotiate - not escalate. Any other course risks long term damage to higher education. '

ENDS

Note to editors

Letter from Roger Kline will be released tomorrow.

Further information NATFHE press officer Trevor Phillips 07773 796882