01 August 2003
The Association of University Teachers this week rejected a two-year pay deal from the Employers' Organisation, claiming the offer was 'inadequate' and reflected a 'disregard' for the negotiating process.
Employers had made what they claimed was a 'final' offer of 3% this year, followed by a 3.5% rise in 2004. But the AUT said the deal fell 'well short' of the 14% three-year package they wanted. The union formally rejected the deal on July 28.
A spokesman for the AUT's executive said 'the inadequacy of the offer reflects a disregard for the current negotiating arrangements' and accused the employers of failing to address equality concerns through the deal.
But while the dispute at higher education level goes back
to the negotiating table, further education lecturers have reached an agreement on pay with the Association of Colleges. The two-year settlement will give lecturers a 3% rise in August and again in 2004 and will reward staff who move rapidly up the pay scale.
Barry Lovejoy, colleges officer of the union Natfhe, said: 'Our aim was to close the pay gap between colleges and schools and tackle the low pay culture for support staff. This deal is a significant step in that direction.'
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