University employers make initial pay offer ahead of negotiations

University employers have offered staff a pay increase worth 1.3 per cent for the 2019-20 academic year.

The opening offer from the Universities and Colleges Employers Association, made on 26 March, falls some way short of the initial pay demands of the five higher education trade unions, which last month called for a rise worth around 6 per cent.

Ucea said the offer reflected “unprecedented financial challenges including very large increases in employers’ pension contributions”, and that it looked forward to “constructive negotiations” with staff. Trade unions and the employers’ association will meet to discuss the pay offer on 11 April and 30 April.