 will hold an emergency meeting for a new ballot for strike action. If a vote goes through, this would mean new walkouts from university staff in Autumn. The union wants a pay raise to match the retail price index, plus two percentage points. This equates to 12.7 per cent. It previously rejected an offer from the Universities & Colleges Employers Association of a rise of between five and eight per cent. The boycott has led to thousands of young people graduating from universities without grades, and having blank certificates issued at their ceremonies. Furthermore, not only have they had their university experience blighted by the coronavirus pandemic, but many will also graduate with debts of around £50,000 . A source at the Russell Group told the Sunday Times: 'The sector is in crisis. The union is demanding that pay deducted for strike action is restored, and some universities are facing massive compensation bills. 'It's not just students getting their marks to graduate; lots of first and second-years don't know if they can progress to the next year. Every major university is getting letters [from parents as well as students].' This comes as more than 140,000 students from 17 universities have joined a class action to sue for compensation of up to £5,000 each to account for the disruption to their degrees incurred by the pandemic and strike action. Lawyers at Harcus Parker and Asserson, representing the students, have said that the total compensation claim across all universities could amount to as much as £17 million. Emergency meeting The UCU confirmed that it has an emergency Higher Education Committee (HEC) meeting on Aug 14, which will make decisions on the next steps regarding pay and conditions dispute, including options for further industrial action and a b){kind=link}
Unions to ballot for further strike action as thousands are graduating without grades
Leading universities are bracing themselves for a fresh wave of strikes and legal action from students who had their degrees disrupted by the pandemic.
On Monday, the University and College Union (UCU) will hold an emergency meeting for a new ballot for strike action. If a vote goes through, this would mean new walkouts from university staff in Autumn.
The union wants a pay raise to match the retail price index, plus two percentage points. This equates to 12.7 per cent. It previously rejected an offer from the Universities & Colleges Employers Association of a rise of between five and eight per cent.
The boycott has led to thousands of young people graduating from universities without grades, and having blank certificates issued at their ceremonies. Furthermore, not only have they had their university experience blighted by the coronavirus pandemic, but many will also graduate with debts of around £50,000.