MyGlasgow News

The University of Glasgow's Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Anton Muscatelli, has written to all staff and students speaking of his desire for an early resolution to the looming dispute over the proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS).

The Principal said it was unusual for industrial action to precede the conclusion of negotiations.

He also said the University would do all in its power to minimise the impact of a boycott of assessment and marking, and warned that breach of contract would result in loss of salary. The letter to students repeats the desire to minimise the impact of any action.

The Principal's message to staff

Dear Colleague

As you may be aware, the UCU has called on its members to take part in industrial action which will involve a boycott of assessment and marking. It will begin on Thursday of this week. The action has been called following a ballot of members over proposed changes to the USS pension scheme.

Christine Barr, our Director of HR, has already been in touch to provide information on what the changes might mean to you. Further information is available on the website:

www.gla.ac.uk/services/finance/payandpensions/uss/

Put simply, and in spite of significant work to address the shortfall, there remains a very sizeable deficit in the USS. What is currently being suggested will ensure that the scheme will not only remain viable but will continue to be an excellent pension scheme. Some of the key points from the employers’ perspective are available at:

www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/comment/opinion/blog-busting-uss-pension-reform-myths/2016515.article

It is important to stress that talks between the UCU and UUK, the employers’ association, are continuing. Indeed it is unlikely that negotiations through the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) of the USS will be completed soon, and probably not before the January meeting of the JNC. The employers will continue to discuss with UCU and explore possible solutions which are acceptable to all.

I fully appreciate the genuine concerns that exist about the USS. But I hope colleagues will consider all of the issues very carefully. The university has an absolute obligation to our students and any marking and assessment boycott will, at the very least, cause inconvenience and distress. Some students will suffer disproportionately more than others.

We will be doing all that we can to minimise the impact of the action, but I also need to remind you that failure to perform assessment duties as reasonably required by the university is a breach of contract which will mean a loss of salary.

All of us share a desire for an early resolution to the dispute. It is unusual for industrial action to precede the conclusion of negotiations, and I would therefore urge that you give serious consideration to the potential effect that the proposed marking and assessment boycott might have on our students before making your decision on whether or not to participate in this action.

Anton Muscatelli

Principal

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First published: 5 November 2014