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[Also in the UK]

I see the BBC website quotes the UCEA as saying a breakthrough is imminent? Is this other peoples' sense? I am in the Philippines on fieldwork and needless to say information is sketchy...

Thanks

[%sig%]

[ExPat in UK]

You know as much as we do... I guess the best way to follow the information is from the web sites of the two unions.

[Lucy]

They didn't make a new offer yet.  It seems possible that one will be made on  Tuesday.  In any case, at least they are talking, which is a start.

[UK too]

11% over two years is the gossip here on the offer.

Doesn't seem so good to me....

[science expat]

This question comes from a query on ExPat's thread below as well as a comment on this one so I thought I'd move it up the list.

Both UK too's gossip and my own reading of the tea leaves (i.e. the unions implying that a 2 year deal could be possible) suggest that the offer will be X over two years.

I'm not in the union but would like to know what you'd accept. And, how p*ssed off are you and why?

ExPat's answer to essentially the same query is copied below.

Cheers!


ExPat in UK wrote:

> science expat wrote:
>
> > What do you think, is the offer likely to be 10-11% over 2
> > years? If so, will the union members support it?
>
> I really am clueless about what the offer will be. As for
> support... hmmm... we had a branch meeting last week and there
> were over 100 folks there... that's about 95 more than normally
> attend. OK, that's what I was told... it was my first meeting.
> I've been a union member ever since I joined to protect myself
> from a harassing associate dean!
>
> Everyone I know (even folks not in the Union) are totally
> p*ssed (American use of the term) with the employers and their
> actions.
>
> If the deal is only for 2 years, does this mean we go through
> this carnival again in 2008????

[%sig%]

[UK too]

I think if the offer were to match or better the previous three year offer but be spread over two years that would be at the limits of acceptability. If it is indeed 11% over two years I think people would be highly upset as it would indicate another AUT capitulation.

Even if the offer is good and is accepted the feeling at my institution is that it will take a lot to mend bridges between the employers and employees. The behaviour of the employers, from lying to docking wages to renaging on promises has been nothing short of shocking and I am certainly considering whether I want to continue if the higher ed sector in the UK.

[ExPat in UK]

According to the Guardian the pay offer will be 10.33 for two years... but... and here's the point that the unions will refuse: there can be NO industrial action in year 3

[puzzled]

puzzled...what's the logic of agreeing to a two-year deal of 10.33% instead of the initial offer of 12.6 over three years?

[Scottish snr lecturer]

And we'll take that - thanks!