January 16, 2012
To All Trade Union National Officers covering Higher
Education
Dear Colleagues
I have today copied you a letter that I have written to
Jocelyn Prudence, Chief Executive, UCEA, advising that Unite intends to
continue its dispute with UCEA on the 2011 pay and related items.
It is the intention of Unite members in the higher
education sector to maintain the dispute with UCEA by continuing to raise the
inadequacy of the UCEA 2011 pay offer when set against the prevailing RPI and
the below inflation offers over the last three years.
It is noticeable that the recent Government
commissioned review of public sector pay carried out by Will Hutton concluded
as one of its findings that the gap between the highest and lowest paid staff
was at its greatest in higher education.
You will know also that the work of the Joseph Rowntree
Foundation found that in order to survive on a living wage in the UK in
2011 a single person needs to earn at least £15,000 a year before tax in 2011,
to afford a minimum acceptable standard of living. A couple with a single
earner and two children need at least £31,600.
The starting salary on scale point 1 was £13203 on the
previous scale and even after the latest imposition by UCEA only rises to
£13353. This shows the inadequacy of the UCEA pay scales.
Unite members in
higher education will continue to press the case for better pay. We hope that
your union members will assist us.
Unite intends to
raise the profile of pay in higher education. Unite will take the matter on by
lobbying or if necessary picketing at higher education workplaces and events.
This letter is a
request not to cross Unite picket lines and to join in any organised events
designed to raise the profile of the poor pay offers in higher education over
the last 3 years.
Unite invites your
higher education negotiating committee to join with us on planning how the
joint unions in the sector can challenge UCEA on its poor pay offers.
I would be grateful
if you can advise whether you and your members are willing to assist?
I look forward to
your reply.
Yours sincerely
Mike
Robinson
National Officer
Education
Unite
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