From:
To:
Subject:
Date:
Attachments:
Human Resources mail
"all-prstaff@exeter.ac.uk"
Update on USS and UCU assessment boycott
06 November 2014 16:59:10
image002.png
Dear colleagues,
You may be aware that the national UCU (the University and College Union) have advised their
members to take part in an assessment and marking boycott as of 6 November 2014.
This action has been called in response to proposed changes to the Universities Superannuation
Scheme (USS), which is a national pension scheme for academic and senior Professional Services
staff in universities. The University of Exeter is one of 69 universities affected by the UCU
dispute.
National negotiations about these changes to USS are on-going in the USS Joint Negotiating
Committee and the University hopes that these will lead to a mutually acceptable solution which
addresses the significant funding challenges and ensures that USS remains a sustainable,
attractive and affordable pension scheme.
The University remains concerned about this issue and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve
Smith, will ensure employees' concerns are heard at a national level so that a resolution to the
dispute can be reached at the earliest opportunity.
For more information on the proposals submitted to the USS Joint Negotiating Committee see
http://www.exeter.ac.uk/pensions/ussscheme/updates/
We will be running a series of open meetings across Colleges and Professional Services teams to
help you understand more about the employers’ proposals and to listen and respond to your
concerns. Further details of these open meetings will be communicated to you shortly.
§ For the Exeter UCU Branch position see http://exeterucu.wordpress.com/
§ For the Students’ Guild position see http://www.exeterguild.org/ucuaction
§ For the FXU position see http://www.fxu.org.uk/news/article/6013/Statement-on-theUCU-marking-boycott/ Discussions between the University and the UCU Branch at Exeter about this boycott are taking
place to consider a possible way forward. UCU members will be receiving a separate notification
from the Exeter UCU Branch Committee detailing their position.
We are writing to students to reassure them that exams will go ahead as planned and they
should continue to concentrate on their studies. There is no need for staff to discuss the boycott
directly with their students and the University and UCU will provide a detailed summary for you
to share with your students if necessary.
I trust that you will understand why it is necessary for us to communicate with all staff in this
way in order to keep everybody informed. I will continue to keep you informed as this situation
develops. The text of this message has been agreed with local UCU representatives.
Yours faithfully
Jacqui
Jacqui Marshall
Director of HR
01392 723120
www.exeter.ac.uk
HRD’s Office, University of Exeter, Northcote House, The Queen's Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QJ
This email and any attachment may contain information that is confidential, privileged, or subject
to copyright, and which may be exempt from disclosure under applicable legislation. It is
intended for the addressee only. If you received this message in error, please let me know and
delete the email and any attachments immediately. The University will not accept responsibility
for the accuracy/completeness of this e-mail and its attachments.