‘We are in agreement on pensions’

In this blog, Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort explains why the University agrees with UCU over pension reform, despite the ongoing dispute

The news that progress had been made in the ongoing national negotiation over pay and pensions last week, leading to a pause in the industrial action taken by the UCU, was very welcome.

I know how important arrangements around pension contributions and benefits are to our colleagues. The update that an improved financial position for the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is now a ‘high probability’ was particularly welcome.

If this improved financial position remains on the valuation date of 31 March, this would open the possibility of a restoration of pension benefits and a lowering of contributions for members and employers later this year.

It is a statutory requirement that the USS scheme is valued every three years, meaning this March’s review has always been the best opportunity to consider changes. So much time and energy has been spent looking back at the 2020 valuation, yet the opportunity to influence this has long since passed.

'Only fair to try and restore benefits'

I have personally been arguing for the reduction in members’ benefits to be reversed as soon as possible after the 2023 valuation, assuming the scheme’s financial position is as positive as hoped. I think this is only fair, even if that means not reducing contributions. This is also the position I, and other VCs, have made to UUK which represents universities at the USS.

What I have found most frustrating during recent strike periods is the fact that the University does not appear to be in disagreement with the UCU on this matter. Strike action takes the dispute directly to the University on matters that are largely out of our control. Although members of UUK, we are just one university of many feeding into discussions on USS pension arrangements, while pay rises are set nationally by the UCEA.

And to remind colleagues, pension reform has been the sole focus of all UCU strikes by Reading branch members since summer 2020, when a pay agreement reached between the University and our local UCU branch removed pay and conditions from the equation for a three-year period.

Mutual cooperation

Recognising the reality of the situation and striving towards common objectives is therefore the only way we can achieve meaningful and sustainable change. I hope that the mutually cooperative approach to the current national negotiations can continue so that we can come to a resolution.

Although Reading UCU members are not in dispute over pay and conditions, we recognise that many of our colleagues are feeling the pressures of the rising cost of living and so will welcome acknowledgement of this issue at a national level. Locally, we have worked with our UCU branch over a number of years and together have tackled some complex issues at Reading related to contractual arrangements for associate lecturers. This has included reducing the number of short-term or hourly paid contracts.

The UCU ballot on extending strike action for another six months has opened today. At Reading this will again be on pension reform only. We must all be respectful of each other’s views on industrial action, but I hope that we can continue to look forwards and not backwards on this issue.

I finally want to thank colleagues for their hard work in mitigating the impact of the strike action so far on students. I am proud of the dedication shown by staff and will continue to fight for pension arrangements that are as fair and sustainable as possible.