Lecturers from the new universities have voted against strike action over the pay settlement currently under negotiation, but have issued a stiff warning that that a second ballot could result in "sustained industrial action".
Natfhe members were offered the option to reject the deal and strike, or remain in negotiations and take a final ballot once talks are concluded.
The decision leaves the Association of University Teachers, which represents academic staff in pre-1992 institutions, isolated in its outright opposition to the plans. They are currently considering industrial action over the deal.
The pay offer, which covers the period of 2003-2005, would bring university staff - from cleaners to senior lecturers - together in a single pay spine.
Natfhe members voted by 75% to 25% to permit continued negotiations. Participation was 32%.
Roger Kline, the head of Natfhe's universities department, said: "This is a vote of confidence in the negotiators and it enables us to keep talking. There will be some tough negotiating from here on. There will be a further members' ballot when discussions are completed. No one should make any assumptions about the outcome of that ballot until the conclusion of negotiations on the five outstanding issues we have identified.
"An agreed deal is possible, and that is what we want, but only if these issues are resolved. If matters are resolved - or if talks breakdown, we shall ballot members again."
The AUT is opposed to the deal which its general secretary has branded "deeply disappointing".
Natfhe said there were five outstanding issues: ensuring an inflation-proof rise in the second year of the pay settlement; safeguarding against performance-related pay; ensuring that part-time and hourly-paid lecturers can be fairly graded; agreeing on grade profiles and ensuring proper procedures for implementing the framework, including time off for union representatives.
