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Wow. This is good. "We would prefer not to have to negotiate in public like this, but UCU is completely misrepresenting the employer position to union members" claim @UniversitiesUK. But what they have written here is not quite true. 1/
@UniversitiesUK The first offer we received from @UniversitiesUK was an informal, sketchy proposal on Tuesday 20th August at the JNC. This offer was described to us as 9.1% member contributions for two years, followed by 11% in October 2021, conditional on cancellation of the planned ballot. 2/
@UniversitiesUK We asked for this formally written down, and the JNC was adjourned until Thursday 22nd. When the written version arrived on Wednesday 21st August, the cancellation of the strike had hardened into a two year moratorium on strike action. You can imagine our response. 3/
@UniversitiesUK We told @UniversitiesUK our view of the proposal on Thursday 22nd August at the JNC: the rate was a long way from "no detriment", in October 2021 it blows sky-high, and, anwway, the two year moratorium already makes it completely unacceptable. 4/
@UniversitiesUK In response, @UniversitiesUK said that they might be able to strip back the moratorium clause and perhaps even shave a bit off the rate, but that it sounded like the positions were too far apart. They did not make a new offer. 5/
@UniversitiesUK Instead, mainly due to the intense time pressure caused by the impending October increases (#USS need full blame for this), both sides agreed negotiations should be wrapped up, and the two original proposals put to the JNC. The independent chair voted with the employers. 6/
@UniversitiesUK Earlier this week, we received the updated offer @UniversitiesUK mention in their release, removing the moratorium and instead asking for the current ballot to be suspended. Note no shaving off of the rate. 7/
@UniversitiesUK Both me (vice-chair of the negotiators) and @zenscara (chair) have been away this week, taking a much needed break from #USS business. We haven't spoken to the employers since the vote at the JNC went with them, though we have been trying to schedule a time to meet. 8/
@UniversitiesUK @zenscara So, in terms of public negotiation, there it is plain for all to see. You be the judge. 9/9
