Originally published on February 10th, 2009

Difficulties in pay negotiations between universities and lecturers’ unions have raised the spectre of the 2006 lecturers’ strike, which delayed graduation for thousands of students.

The Student understands that talks have stalled between the University and College Union (UCU), which represents lecturers and other academic staff, and UCEA, an umbrella body of universities and colleges.

The chief sticking point, according to sources, is the negotiation system used, called New JNCHES, under which the UCEA negotiates with all the unions representing university employees. UCU is the only union not to take part, and is keen to negotiate a separate, higher, pay deal for its members.

UCU also objects to the fact that universities will be allowed to opt out from pay agreements, arguing that this ‘undermines the credibility of the so-called New JNCHES.’

Sources close to the union have told the Student that UCU has decided to wait before balloting members on possible strike action.

“There were two deadlines by which certain progress had to be made, but they both passed. Although the amount of progress wasn’t as much as UCU headquarters was looking for, it was deemed enough to warrant further consideration before going to ballot,” one union official said.

UCU had previously put a case for an 8 per cent pay rise this year, but it appears this has now been abandoned in favour of a focus on changing the negotiating system and abolishing university opt-outs, after UCEA responded that 8 per cent was ‘unrealistic and unaffordable.’

A source close to the negotiations told the Student: “I think the plan is to ask for an 8 per cent rise initially, and then, using the universities’ fear of strike action, get something lower, perhaps 5 per cent.”

The UCEA is understood to be keen to avoid any repetition of the 2006 strike by the AUT and Nefthe unions, which later merged to form UCU. The strike paralysed universities across the country, as lecturers’ refusal to mark exam papers meant thousands of students were unable to graduate on time, damaging their employment prospects.

UCU has so far refused to rule out the possibility of a strike, saying: “UCU continues to believe a negotiated settlement through the ACAS-facilitated talks to be the best prospect for stability in the sector...We remain hopeful that an agreement can be reached which will render any ballot or resulting industrial action unnecessary.”

Wes Streeting, president of the National of Students, has urged caution, saying: “In the present difficult economic circumstances, the last thing that students need is an industrial dispute. Stability in the sector is vital and all sides need to maintain a dialogue.”