Northumbria University (UCU) Strike Calendar
Strike Type: Education
Latest Northumbria University Industrial Action Updates (3)
Eighty percent of participating staff voted in favor of strike action, following a turnout of sixty percent in a ballot.
The proposed action by the university involves moving staff onto a different pension scheme, which could negatively affect their benefits.
Staff declining the transfer face a pay freeze, effectively resulting in real-terms pay reductions for those remaining in the current scheme.
The university aims to achieve savings of eleven million pounds through these adjustments, which are characterized as a threat to long-term retirement security.
This issue mirrors wider national concerns regarding universities attempting to reduce pension expenditures at the cost of their employees.
A petition opposing the plans has garnered over one thousand signatures, and political representatives have expressed their concerns in Parliament.
Local officials have also voiced support for the staff, urging the university to reconsider its strategy.
The view from the union is that the strike action is a final measure in response to what is seen as an assault on retirement provisions.
A ballot for industrial action is set to open on Monday, December 15th, and conclude on Friday, January 23rd, with potential action in the new year impacting teaching.
This follows a vote of no confidence by members in the university executive team.
Management intends to transition staff to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, a move perceived to negatively affect employee financial standing.
Employees declining this move face pay freezes, which acts as a penalty for retaining the Teachers' Pension Scheme and introduces real-terms pay reductions.
These proposed cuts to pay and pensions are intended by the university to result in £11 million in savings.
Concern exists nationally regarding pension cost reductions being pursued by certain universities at the expense of staff.
Warnings have been issued that weakening existing pension schemes jeopardizes staff morale and the ability to recruit and retain talent in higher education.
A public petition is demanding the university reconsider its strategy.
A university informed staff that refusal to adopt a new scheme will result in a pay freeze, effectively penalizing employees who remain in the existing pension scheme with real-terms pay reductions.
The university management suggests this change could yield savings up to £11 million from staff wages and pensions.
However, the union asserts these proposals constitute an assault on long-term retirement security, potentially making many staff considerably worse off.
Following a meeting with nearly 250 members, a vast majority indicated a dispute concerning the pension alterations and the threat of a pay freeze.
The union has indicated that a vote for local industrial action is forthcoming, warning that the university might face disruption if the proposition is not withdrawn.
This disagreement is occurring against a backdrop of wider national concerns regarding universities aiming to reduce pension expenditures at the staff's expense.
The union has consistently cautioned that employers across the nation are eroding established pension plans, impacting staff morale, recruitment, and retention in higher education.
A sentiment was conveyed that compelling staff to choose between their salary or their pension is not a genuine option, and management is focused only on the short term.
Northumbria University Strike Calendar
0 Strike Date 0 Planned