University staff final pay offer falls well short of claim

The offer, made at last night's final pay negotiation meeting, is not much of an improvement on the previous offer of 0.8%.

The unions submitted two claims this year that covered pay matters and also pay-related equality matters. However, the employers' offer links both elements of the claims so rejecting one element means the other part is automatically rejected as well.

UCU head of higher education, Michael MacNeil, said: 'It's disappointing that the final offer does nothing to address four years of pay cuts or the widespread and increasing use of casual contracts in higher education.

'UCU members are under pressure to improve the student experience, yet at the same time their pay is cut in real terms and their living standards continue to fall. The employers' offer represents a missed opportunity to address the gender pay gap in higher education and the widespread culture of casualisation.'

UCU members are meeting in Brighton next week at the union's annual conference where the pay offer and next steps will be discussed.

* UCU, Unison, Unite, GMB and EIS.