Update on employer negotiations and the marking and assessment boycott

The HEC have instructed me, and your elected negotiators, to give Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) one final opportunity to enter into negotiations to resolve the UK wide dispute.

We will be making it clear to the employer that we are seeking:

• an improved offer on pay and conditions
• an immediate end to all punitive pay deductions
• a return of all punitive pay deductions
• a commitment from employers to recognise staffs entitlement to leave and to a reasonable workload on their return to normal working.

I have this evening written to UCEA chief executive Raj Jethwa to begin this process.

I want to be absolutely clear that if any agreement is reached with UCEA this will be presented to members for a vote, and that the marking and assessment boycott (MAB) continues until members confirm they want it to stop.

Whatever the outcome of these talks with UCEA, our dispute continues--until you vote to end it.

In the coming days we will be using the media to give this decision publicity and ask members to do all you can to share any communications from the union as far and wide as possible.

We have come a long way but this is not over. Keep backing your union and keep backing each other.

UCU and proud.

In solidarity

Jo Grady
UCU general secretary