University strikes may be called off after talks lead to new proposals

Strikes by university staff, which have caused widespread disruption on campuses across the UK in a bitter dispute over pensions, could be suspended later this week after a breakthrough in talks.

Employers and union leaders have agreed a revised proposal to reform pensions, which – if endorsed by all parties – will be introduced as part of a three-year transitional arrangement.

The proposal has been sent to members of the University and College Union (UCU) and will be considered on Tuesday at a meeting of the its higher education committee and at a separate meeting of branch representatives. Some UCU members quickly expressed their disapproval of the deal on social media and predicted that it would be rejected.

Universities UK (UUK), which represents university employers, is in the process of consulting with Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) employers on the new proposal. It is expecting union leaders to suspend industrial action from Wednesday.

Source: theguardian