Last week the Higher Education Committee of UCU (HEC) voted to commence formal consultations with members on the latest proposals from employers.

By now members should have received email communication containing separate consultations over our pay and conditions (Four Fights) and pensions disputes – please look out for them and check junk mailboxes if you haven’t seen them yet.

Members are encouraged to consider reports from negotiators and HEC before providing feedback, and links to all of that information is contained within the email.

Under current legislation, trade unions are required to give notice of intent to undertake action 10 days prior to the start of that action.   For this reason, and in advance of the conclusion of the consultation with members, UCU will formally advise the employer of its intention to call a marking and assessment boycott (MAB) commencing 17th April.

Members should be clear that there is no intention to pre-judge the outcome of consultation; your feedback on the current offer from the employer is crucial in shaping the future of the dispute and we would urge you to engage fully with this phase of the dispute.