Dear Hugh
You will have received a letter this week from Sally Hunt, our General Secretary. As you will be aware Universities UK (UUK) tabled their proposal to end our defined benefits scheme on 13 November and have said that they will not continue to negotiate beyond 18 December. This is a ridiculously short time-scale – particularly given the proposals were far worse than expected. This timescale does not afford sufficient time to allow UCU to prepare and present counter proposals.
We are requesting that you lend your support by asking USS to agree to UCU’s proposed extension of the timetable to allow for full negotiation of the proposals and counter proposals. I’m sure you are aware that if the proposal is imposed centrally it will fall to individual institutions to settle UCU’s claim for pension loss. You will also be aware that we are balloting for industrial action. If UUK refuse to negotiate then – due to the severity of the losses in the deferred pay of our members – pre-92 HEIs will be plunged into an unprecedented period of industrial action in the Spring.
We look forward to your response.
With best wishes
Tracey Hooper
President Bristol UCU
James Thompson
Vice-President Bristol UCU