The boycott is off: Lecturers back down in pay row

Striking lecturers have reached an agreement with uni bosses – stopping any chance that students might not graduate.

A marking boycott had been organised for late April but was delayed after a last minute offer of a 2% pay rise.

The University and College Union (UCU) voted overwhelmingly to accept the offer, ending the dispute.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: “UCU members have made it overwhelmingly clear that they wish to accept the 2% pay offer and call off the proposed marking boycott. We shall be informing universities of their decision and that the marking boycott is off. My thanks go to UCU members for their support in this dispute”

The pay dispute, which started in October, began over the offer of a 1% pay rise – an effective 13% pay cut over four years. Just over half of UCU members turned out to vote, and more than 80% voted to accept the offer.

The boycott was due to start on Tuesday.

Unison and Unite are yet to deliver their decision on the boycott – meaning some lecturers could still strike.

The Universities and College Employers Association (UCEA) said it was pleased “to reward their much valued and hard-working staff”.

A statement read: “The increase will bring the vast majority of staff in the sector on the lowest points of the pay scale to rates equivalent to or above the Living Wage.

The decision comes almost a month after universities had threatened to dock the pay of lecturers who joined the boycott. Students faced cancelled lectures as any teaching they had chosen to do would have been voluntary.

The UCEA – who represent all Higher Education institutions – had said the disruption to students comes with ‘heavy hearts’.

Thank God that’s over.