Created on: 18 Dec 2013 | Last modified: 17 Feb 2015
Dear Colleague
I write to update members following the strike which took place on Tuesday 3rd December 2013. The EIS turnout in the joint union strike was solid and had impressive effects across the HEIs in which we are strong. I do not believe that any Scottish HEI Principal can be under any illusion regarding the strength of feeling of EIS members on the matter of pay erosion.
The EIS-ULA Executive met on Wednesday 11 December 2013 to discuss the strike action and resolved to continue the pay dispute. The UCU and Unison Executives have also recently met and there is a consensus that the trade unions will continue the campaign and implement further strike action in pursuit of a fair pay increase – with a view of a date in early February 2014.
The EIS-ULA Executive considers that strike action as the last resort available to us, in the light of the Employers’ refusal to negotiate since May 2013 and the imposition of a pay offer despite being part of a national pay bargaining mechanism. It is our hope that a negotiated settlement may still be reached between now and early February although it seems the Employers are determined to ignore the concerns of their employees.
The Annual Financial Reports will be shortly published by HEIs and the EIS will be updating the information on its website on senior staff pay, principals’ pay, staff pay as a proportion of expenditure, operating surpluses etc shortly. It will be interesting to learn of the pay rise which are awarded to senior staff last year and if HEIs really cannot afford a higher pay uplift than 1% as they collectively claim.
Please accept my best wishes for the Christmas break and for 2014.
Yours sincerely
David Belsey
National Officer Further and Higher Education