Thread by @cupofassam

Last summer, local UCU branches were in dispute and arranging marking boycotts in part to campaign to restore USS benefits that had been unreasonably cut (see my thread on those cuts -

https://twitter.com/cupofassam/status/1616022394178502657?s=20&t=R7q1xztUFqp1BrzAguj4Dw

). This 2nd thread will address the outcome of that action. #ucuRISING

Across the country, UUK institutions agreed joint statements (and some in private) with their local UCU branches, and it was on the basis of these commitments that the action was stood down at those institutions.

This is crucially important – we believe that those institutions should be true to their word, and we expect to hold them to their word.

To go back on these commitments now, during the current dispute, would rightly cause utter outrage in these branches, and be incendiary in augmenting the resolve of members in the current dispute.

I want to now go through some of those commitments, and copy in the branches who succeeded in coming to these agreements. I will list these, highest first, by density of USS members.

‘the University will continue to push for benefits to be restored on a sustainable basis as soon as possible’: @Cambridge_Uni and @CambridgeUCU

‘improving benefits for USS members should be given the highest priority’. @sheffielduni and @sheffielducu

‘the University has affirmed its view in writing to UUK that any upside arising from the next USS valuation be directed towards improved benefits for members of the Scheme.’ @UofGlasgow and @UCUGlasgow

‘should the financial position of the scheme improve sufficiently at a future valuation (or earlier where possible), improving benefits for members of the USS should be the highest priority’. @Uni_Newcastle and @NewcastleUniUCU

‘Respond to any positive changes resulting from future valuations of the scheme’s assets and liabilities by committing to improving member benefits or contributions as opposed to reducing employer contribution rates. @UniofNottingham and @UoNUCU

‘It is important that the next valuation is concluded in the shortest possible timescale to deliver potential benefits to staff and rebuild staff confidence in USS.’ @BristolUni and @Bristol_UCU

‘should any upside arise from either a new schedule of contributions and recovery plan for 2020 and/ or a future valuation of the scheme’s assets and liabilities, improving the benefits for employee members of the USS should be a priority.’ @UniversityLeeds and @leedsucu

‘Ensure that any upside arising from the next valuation should be used to improve member benefits.’ @cardiffuni and @CardiffUCU

‘should the financial health of the scheme improve sufficiently at a future valuation, improving benefits for members of the USS should be the highest priority’ @durham_uni and @ucuatdurham

‘prioritises the enhancement of benefits as soon as this would be affordable and sustainable, including reflecting on the changes made as a result of the 2020 valuation.’ @Uni_of_Essex and @UCUEssex

‘Positive changes resulting from the next valuation of the scheme’s assets, liabilities and future service costs should preferably be used to improve member benefits and not to reduce employer or employee contribution rates from current levels.’ @SussexUni and @sussexucu

‘improve benefits at the next valuation if the funding position of the scheme allowed.’ @UniofBathand @UCUBath

‘Advocate to its members that any upside arising from the next scheduled valuation of the scheme’s assets and liabilities should be used to improve member benefits and not to reduce employer or employee contribution rates from current levels.’ @UlsterUni and @UCU_Ulster

‘Any positive changes resulting from the next valuation of the scheme’s assets and liabilities should be used to improve member benefits and not to reduce employer or employee contribution rates from current levels.’ @lborouniversity and @LboroUCU

‘we would support any sustained improvement in the overall scheme position being put towards restoration of member benefits first (to those existing prior to the 2020 valuation).’ @HeriotWattUni and @UCU_HWUBranch

‘Any positive changes resulting from the next valuation of the scheme’s assets and liabilities should be used to improve member benefits and not to reduce employer or employee contribution rates from current levels.’ @SOAS and @UCUSOAS

‘Positive changes resulting from the next valuation of the scheme’s assets, liabilities and future service costs should preferably be used to improve member benefits and not to reduce employer or employee contribution rates from current levels.’ @IDS_UK and @sussexucu

Judging from such comms to date, 52% of USS members are employed at institutions who have given public statements (and some private statements in Senate or to UCU branches). This is a majority.