Ballot closes 21st October

Following a derisory 3% offer from UCEA (Universities and Colleges Employers Association) for academic staff, pay in the higher education sector is facing further real terms decline, and a dispute has been lodged. Following a clear message from the recent consultative ballot result, the EIS-ULA Executive Committee decided to move ahead with balloting the affected members for strike action.

A statutory ballot for strike action will be held from 29th September until 21st October for EIS-ULA members to try to force the employers back to the table with a better offer. We are one of many unions following this path – including the UCU.

Despite three negotiating meetings and two dispute meetings, the employers have steadfastly refused to budge on this derisory offer, which would mean another huge real terms pay cut for academic staff this year. Instead UCEA has written to all universities and HEIs asking them, once again, to impose the offer, without further negotiation.

Since 2009, academic pay has consistently fallen against inflation. If the losses are calculated against RPI, the salary of a lecturer has declined in real terms by 29% even before the cost-of-living crisis we are currently experiencing is taken into account. This is unfair and unsustainable.

The employers can afford it; they are sitting on record closing reserves. We believe that the universities’ long-term plan of supressing pay in the sector must stop.

The EIS-ULA Executive is asking all members to use their ballot and vote YES to strike action and are urging their members to take strike action to defend the value of their pay.

If the ballot is successful and members vote for strike action, the EIS-ULA Executive Committee will seek to co-ordinate with other trade unions in the sector (who are also balloting) to bring to bear the maximum pressure on employers with strike action expected to commence in November.

The EIS-ULA Executive is asking all members to use their ballot and urging them to vote YES to strike action to defend the value of their pay.