The strike action is a national issue, and not one that can be resolved within or by the University.
The University cannot negotiate at a local level on pay. The pay dispute has reached an impasse with UCU and UCEA unable to reach agreement following ACAS involvement.
Throughout this period of industrial action, we have, along with fellow universities, continued to actively engage with the UCEA Executive and Board to search for a way forward and seek longer term solutions for the pay and conditions of our colleagues.
While we are not able to negotiate a national pay award, Newcastle University has maintained discussions with our local branch around the issues that we can negotiate on. Last June, agreement was reached with UCU on a range of proposals. The proposals included work around pay equity, contracts for postgraduate students, casualisation, a 37-hour week for all and workload. These proposals addressed much of the dispute at both a national and local level and in some cases went beyond the agreements being reached at other HEIs.
Discussions with our local branch have been constructive and positive progress has been made where we can.
Our priority and focus is to minimise the impact on our students’ education and manage the dispute. After this period, we very much hope to be able to refocus our efforts and continue with the already good progress made on the proposals agreed in June 2022.
Last reviewed: 07.09.2023