Opinion is split over potential strikes by the largest academic union, with other trade organisations distancing themselves from ongoing pay disputes while the public and students show their support.
Three unions involved in negotiations over modernisation of pay structures, which have been ongoing for two years, have issued a joint statement today. They say that the Association of University Teachers (AUT) is circulating misleading information about the deal offered by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association. All three trade groups - T&G, UNISON and Amicus - have accepted the employers' offer.
The UNISON general secretary, Dave Prentis, wrote in a letter to all pre-1992 institutions that are represented by the AUT: "Whilst I fully support their right to promote and protect their members' interests, I believe their analysis... is disingenuous to say the least."
On the other side of the row, the National Union of Students (NUS) issued a joint statement with the AUT in a show of solidarity. NUS president, Mandy Telford, said: "The NUS supports the AUT in its struggle against the employers' attacks on academic and related staff pay and conditions." Ms Telford urged the employers back to the negotiating table.
A public poll conducted last week for the AUT by market research agency TNS showed that 49% of respondents said the union was right to consider industrial action over salaries. When asked what the starting salary for a lecturer should be, 79% said £32,000. The current starting salary is £23,000.
The AUT starts a month-long ballot for strike action tomorrow. The nation's largest academic union was the only body of seven trade unions to pull out of negotiations in December over modernisation plans that would see a new pay structure.
It claims that support staff such as librarians, administrators and computing staff would lose £47,000 over 21 years, while some researchers would lose £17,300 over nine years and numerous lecturers would be £6,300 worse off over eight years.
The strike ballot of the AUT's 47,000 members will take place between January 13 and February 11.
