UCU’s higher education sector conference debated the progress made in talks with the employers to resolve the USS dispute.
Delegatesfelt that the talks so far had failed to deliver any concrete proposals to improve the changes imposed (on existing members and a much worse scheme for new entrants) by the employers last October 2011.
Following debate, the conference voted that members should resume a work-to-contract with effect from Monday 18 June. Details of what that covers can be found here.
It was also agreed to campaign for sustained and escalating industrial action in the Autumn terms and to agree the strategy at a special conference in early September.
The employers have been formally informed of the union’s position.
In response to the resumption of our industrial action, they have indicated that they are not prepared to continue with further talks to consider possible changes to the scheme. In addition the employers have refused to implement formally the extension we had negotiated to the right to take unreduced pension benefits if you are made redundant.
The higher education committee will be discussing the ongoing campaign when it next meets on 29 June. Your branch will be advised to hold meetings of members prior to the September conference where the next steps for industrial action will be discussed.