UCU strike action paused

Seven days of strike action scheduled for February and March 2023 by the University and College Union (UCU) have been called off after progress was made in national negotiations over pay and pensions.

The UCU announced on Friday that industrial action called for 21, 22, 23, 27 and 28 February and 1 and 2 March will not go ahead to allow negotiations to continue on priority issues. Further strike dates remain scheduled for 16, 17, 20, 21 and 22 March.

It was suggested there was a ‘high probability’ that pension benefits could be improved and contributions lowered in the coming months.

A joint statement by Universities UK and the UCU on Friday revealed that the latest quarterly monitoring report from the USS trustee board suggested the 2023 scheme valuation, which by law will take place in March 2023, may result in an improved funding position which would mean that consideration could be given to benefits being restored to pre-April 2022 levels as well as reducing costs for members and employers.

The two parties have agreed to work together to prioritise this outcome and explore a long-term, sustainable solution to benefits and contributions, in order to avoid disputes occurring around each valuation.

UCU members voted in favour of industrial action over pay and conditions and the current Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) pension arrangements in a national ballot in October 2022. However, the dispute at Reading relates only to the USS due to a three-year pay agreement being agreed with Reading branch members in summer 2020.

We will continue to keep colleagues updated on future strike dates and progress in the negotiations.

Information and FAQs can be found on the UCU industrial action page on the Staff Portal.