Joint NUS/UCU statement on USS action

The statement reads:

NUS and UCU are sister organisations committed to promoting the interests of our members and to defending education. We are proud of our work together in calling for a better deal for students and staff and in challenging the marketisation of education.

We believe that fairly rewarded staff are the cornerstone of the university experience and that the proposal by Universities UK to substantially cut the pensions of members of the USS pension scheme will be hugely damaging if implemented.

As representatives of students, NUS is worried that the imposition of these cuts in the face of sector wide opposition will lead to a demotivated and unhappy workforce and consequent recruitment and retention problems as staff vote with their feet and move elsewhere.

As representatives of staff, UCU is concerned that alongside recent cuts in the real terms value of pay and the very high rates of casualisation, these proposals are seen as yet another kick in the teeth for hard working staff.

We believe that the current policy of paying ever higher salaries for VCs and Principals while cutting pensions for those who do the work sends a hugely damaging signal to both students and staff.

In sending its full solidarity to UCU, NUS asks its members to:

• continue to call for the university employers to recognise the seriousness of the situation and agree to meaningful negotiations either directly with the union or via ACAS
• write to their institution head to complain about the impact the strike will have on their learning
• participate in local demonstrative solidarity action during the strikes in support of UCU members.

In response, UCU agrees to:

• work closely with NUS to explain to students why action is taking place
• commit to meaningful negotiations in order to settle the dispute if possible
• continue to support NUS in our wider struggle for a fair and just education system. 

Shakira Martin, NUS president
Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary