The UK-wide lecturers’ pay dispute with universities has reached a “stalemate” following the rejection of the latest offer, unions have warned.
The Association of University Teachers (AUT) and NATHFE, the university and college lecturers’ union, have refused a proposed wage increase of 12.6% over three years.
Employers say this is “irresponsible”, and that a boycott of exam and coursework marking must end.
An AUT spokesman, speaking ahead of the union’s conference today, said the offer was too low, and had “caused a stalemate”.
The previous offer put forward by the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association (UCEA) was for a 3% pay rise this year, followed by the same in 2007.
Talks broke down on Monday after the latest pay proposal was rejected.
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The AUT and NATFHE have been refusing to mark coursework and exams since March and want a “substantial” salary increase – in the region of 25%.
But the UCEA said 12.6% was the “best and final offer”, and represented some 90% of the extra money expected when tuition fees rise to a maximum of £3,000 a year this September.
