Outcome of latest Phase 1 review meeting

Joint Update from the Vice-Chancellor, UCU and Staff Forum

In Summer 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University reached an agreement with University and College Union (UCU) and Staff Forum representatives which identified ways in which the financial impact of COVID could be managed and potential job losses avoided.

This agreement included provisions with regard to participation in national pay bargaining for a defined period, alongside several other mechanisms designed to address the financial impact of COVID.

The ‘Phase 1’ agreement reached was for a period of three years from August 2020 and representatives of the University Executive Board, UCU and the Staff Forum have met regularly throughout the three years to review the University’s financial position and the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

The latest review meeting was held on Wednesday 22 February and as with all previous meetings was informed by up-to-date student recruitment and progression information along with a financial update provided by colleagues in Finance. This indicates that the total income losses and costs as a result of the COVID pandemic are currently forecast to be £84.4m.

There were no specific decisions to be taken at this meeting, but we remain committed to the cautious and measured approach taken throughout this agreement as we continue to review the University financial position. The review meetings have provided an opportunity for ongoing collaboration and constructive engagement between the UCU, the Staff Forum and University colleagues.

We expect to have at least one further review meeting taking place before 31 July 2023, which will mark the end of the current agreement.

We continue to recognise and thank all colleagues for the part you have played in addressing the challenges arising from the pandemic: as a result of your support, the University was able to have averted the redundancies which had been thought to be necessary in 2020 and which other institutions were unable to avoid.

Robert Van de Noort, Vice-Chancellor 

Sally Pellow, President Reading UCU 

Daniel Wallace, Co-Chair Staff Forum