Reflections on strikes, talks and solutions
We are now at the end of the second week of industrial action by the University and College Union over proposed changes to the USS pension scheme. I would like to reflect on a few things that have arisen for me during the last few days.
First, I am pleased that UCU and UUK are continuing discussions, that ACAS is mediating these next week, and that there are sincere attempts to look at imaginative solutions to the current impasse. I would hope that industrial action might now be suspended, so that our students are not disrupted further, while these important talks take place. Negotiation and consultation are the best way for a fair solution to emerge.
As I have maintained throughout this period, the right outcome is one that is the best that it can be for staff, but that also recognises the challenges of the scheme’s sustainability. It needs to account for the impact that significant additional contributions would have both on members’ ability to pay, and on the University’s ability to maintain investments in education, the student experience, staffing and research. It would be tragic if we ended up in exactly the same place we are now next time there is a valuation of the USS pension fund.
A number of students have written to me expressing their concerns about the industrial action - some support the strikes and others do not. Many support the principles of the industrial action but they understandably do not want their education to be disrupted. I deeply regret any disruption or distress caused to students, and we will do everything we can to ensure their education is not adversely affected - including using funds deducted for strike action specifically to support them.
Some staff have asked me why I haven’t come out like some other Vice-Chancellors to support the strike action or advocate a new negotiating position. I cannot answer for the motives or actions of my fellow Vice-Chancellors, but I cannot personally support a strike that seeks to impact students and their education.
As far as viable alternatives are concerned to the current proposal on the table, this is being negotiated through national collective bargaining - a longstanding principle in our sector, which I fully support. As such, it is only right that I continue to put my trust in the negotiators on both sides to arrive at the best viable solution - UUK and UCU - and the USS members themselves, who have a critical opportunity to respond to the national consultation planned for later in March.
As I have said before, the University is committed to implement the outcomes of that negotiation, critiqued and informed as they will have been by the views of some 400,000 members.
I appreciate that some staff are understandably angry, students are anxious and that passions are running high. Many people who have written to me have focused on evidence and rational argument and are actively looking for a positive way forward. I would urge everyone to maintain a civil discourse, to avoid invective and insult during this difficult period - however vociferously we might disagree on what is credible or palatable as an outcome.
This is my first year as Vice-Chancellor. I can assure you that a national industrial dispute is the very last thing I would have wanted for our University community. I am truly sorry that we are in this place, but I remain optimistic that our negotiators can find a way forward soon, and that we can move on with the excellent work that you all do to support teaching, learning and research at this great University.
Professor Shearer West
Vice-Chancellor
Posted on Thursday 1st March 2018