Universities UK (UUK) has responded to a letter from the University and College Union (UCU) General Secretary, Dr Jo Grady, following the industrial action ballot results at universities. Speaking on behalf of USS employers, a Universities UK spokesperson said:
“It is disappointing that the union continues to act in denial of the fact that, without any action, both members and employers will suffer from escalating and unaffordable contribution rises from April 2022. These would cause mass scheme member opt-outs, risk employer insolvency and seriously impact on the student experience.
“It would be a dereliction of duty to withdraw the employer proposal without a viable, affordable and implementable alternative. We remain willing to consult employers on any proposal from the UCU, even at this late stage in the valuation.
“Employers are currently consulting all scheme members on these proposals. This consultation is with a considerably larger population than those potentially involved in industrial action, which is fewer than one in ten of the scheme’s membership. We are mindful of the need to give everyone the opportunity to have their say on the proposals through this consultation which runs until 17 January 2022.”
Notes to editors
Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is one of the largest private pension schemes in the UK and is the principal scheme for academic and comparable staff in UK universities and other higher education and research institutions. Universities UK represents the views of 340 higher education employers on USS.
You can read a copy of the response from Universities UK Chief Executive Alistair Jarvis to a letter from Dr Jo Grady, 10 November 2021:
