Worried students are left in limbo yet again after University Management has confirmed that UCU are still in talks with Management about whether a boycott on marking will be taking place.
The boycott has been organised by UCU, the University and College Union, because they are unsatisfied with the most recent negotiations, which still cut lecturers’ average pay by 13% in real terms, according to recent figures from the UCU website.
However, negotiations are still taking place, according to University Registrar David Duncan, who is hopeful that the forthcoming industrial action will not occur. He commented; “The threatened industrial action is the latest phase in a long-running national dispute over the 2013 pay settlement. York has long supported the resumption of national talks to try to agree a settlement.
“We are pleased that the Employers’ Association has now made an above-inflation offer for 2014 and are hopeful that this will lead to an early settlement with no further disruption for students.”
He estimated that students will find out whether the work that they do this term will be marked by the beginning of May.
UCU aim to “minimize” the effect that the boycott will have on students, if it does take place. They commented; “UCU is in dispute with university employers over staff pay and the boycott is part of our lawful industrial action. This is not a decision we have taken lightly.”
“Our members don’t want to take any action which damages the interests of students. We work hard to minimize the impact on students of any action we take.
“But six separate strikes have failed to bring the employers back to the table for serious negotiations over pay. Therefore, we believe that we have been left with no alternative but to resort to a marking boycott; our ultimate sanction.”