Carrying a symbolic cardboard coffin, University & College Union members from the University of Southampton gathered Oct. 31 to march in mourning at the loss of their pension provisions. (Southern Daily Echo)
After a weeks-long work to rule campaign by UK academics in a bitter dispute over their pensions, employers have now agreed to resume talks with union officials.
University and College Union (UCU) members last month began their latest round of industrial action over employer-led changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme that could mean an average loss of £100,000 (C$162,000) per member during retirement.
UCU general secretary Sally Hunt said changes will also see scheme members pay more to work longer, with less protection should they lose their job.
Employers’ representatives broke off pension negotiations with the UCU in March 2011 and instead unilaterally imposed changes at the start of October.
Hunt said that, in two referendums, UCU members showed overwhelming opposition to the changes brought in to their retirement plan and support for sustained industrial action.
The action that saw thousands of UCU members “working to contract” has hit 67 universities across the UK, including Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College London.
“Our members stopped going the extra mile,” Hunt said. “The approach means not providing additional cover for colleagues who are off, not attending some meetings or working weekends if those actions are not stipulated in contracts.”
The union says while it welcomes new talks, the industrial action will continue.
“We are keen to resolve this dispute as quickly as possible with minimal disruption, but no one should be under any illusions that achieving a fair settlement will be easy,” Hunt said. “Achieving talks was our first aim; agreeing outcomes for the scheme which are fair and just is our next. Members are being asked to continue to work to contract and to be prepared to escalate the action should that, unfortunately, still be necessary.”
Joining the UCU in staging campaigns over pension reforms are all the UK’s main teaching unions as well 18 other unions representing upwards of two million public-sector workers affected by a government plan for employee contribution increases and increases in the pension age.
A day of strike action is being planned for Nov. 30 when teachers will join with trades and civil service unions in mobilizing for what promises to be the biggest day of industrial unrest the UK has seen in decades.