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.
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.
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