Staff at Birmingham Universities are committed to a strike running for two-days due to a pay dispute.
The University and College Union have said: “The 1.1% rise offered by the universities is “an insult”.
However, the Universities and Colleges Employers Association said: “The walkout was disappointing given the very good pay offer”.
The unions that represent University support staff are contemplating on the offer with a possible strike taking place in Autumn.
Staff will also initiate a campaign of “working under contract”, declining to work overtime or doing any unpaid duties such as covering classes for absent colleagues.
Members of the union have also threatened additional strike action, targeting open days and graduation ceremonies in June and July, if a deal is not reached quickly.
Superior Union members have warned Universities that staff could potentially boycott the setting and marking of student’s work, if an acceptable offer isn’t made.
Sally Hunt, the General Secretary said: “A 1.1% pay offer is an insult to hardworking staff, especially in light of the 5% pay rise vice-chancellors have enjoyed while holding down staff pay,”
She added: “Industrial action which impacts on students is never taken lightly, but members feel that they have been left with no alternative.
“If the employers wish to see a swift end to this dispute, and avoid further disruption, they need to come back to the table with a much-improved offer.”
Summer exams are due to finish at the end, although many have already finished. A spokesperson for the employers predicted only “minor impact and minimal student disruption”.
He said: “Even for examinations which are still taking place at some higher education institutions, more than nine out of 10 report that a no to low impact is anticipated,”
“We would like to see the UCU consulting its members on the final offer.”
The employers have said the proposal is “at, and, for some, beyond, a limit of affordability for higher education institutions and the very best offer that will be available this year”.
They uphold the increment of the offer which means the worst paid university staff will acquire an increase of more than 5%.
They have also said they have offered discussions on zero-hours contracts and on improving lower pay for female academics.
UCU are preparing strike rallies in:
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Brighton
- Cambridge
- Glasglow
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Sheffield
