University body increases offer from 12.6% to 13.1% in lecturers’ pay dispute

Universities have increased their pay offer to lecturers in an attempt to end the ongoing pay dispute.

The Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association is proposing a rise of 13.1% over three years – up from its previous 12.6% offer.

But the Association of University Teachers and NATFHE, the university and college lecturers’ union, have rejected the offer and are pushing for a 23% increase.

The Association of University Teachers has said it would boycott the setting of exam papers as a result of the dispute. It added: “Association of University Teachers negotiators indicated to the employers that the offer as outlined does not meet key requirements.”

But the Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association said its offer had been accepted by unions representing support staff such as cleaners and porters.

A Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association spokesman said: “The unions representing support staff agreed to put the offer to their executives with a recommendation that the offer was the best that could be achieved through negotiations.

Association of University Teachers will merge with its sister union NATFHE tomorrow to create a new union for further education staff.

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